Translation guide
The English phrase 'put off' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: postponing something, causing a feeling of dislike or reluctance, and distracting or disturbing someone. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
To delay doing something or to reschedule an event for a later time.
I keep putting off my homework. · The meeting was put off until next week. · Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
The most direct and common translation for postponing events, meetings, or plans. It is a neutral, standard word.
The meeting was put off until next week.
I had to put off my trip.
Used specifically for procrastinating on tasks or decisions, often with a negative connotation. Very common for personal duties.
I ended up putting off my homework.
It's not good to put off making a decision.
Means to put something off and do it later, often implying lower priority. Common in casual conversation.
Let's put off cleaning and cook first.
To delay something, often used for schedules or deadlines. Slightly more formal than 先延ばしにする.
I put off my departure.
To drag out or prolong, often used for negotiations or time. Can imply intentional delay.
A strategy to put off negotiations.
To make someone feel dislike, disgust, or reluctance, often through an unpleasant quality.
His arrogance really puts me off. · The smell put me off my food. · I was put off by her rude attitude.
A general way to say something makes you feel uncomfortable or displeased. Works for many contexts.
His attitude put me off.
To be disgusted or fed up with something, often after repeated exposure. Stronger than 不快.
His bragging puts me off.
Casual slang meaning to be turned off or creeped out by someone's behavior. Very common in spoken Japanese.
Specifically for when something puts you off your food or appetite.
The smell put me off my food.
To disturb someone's concentration or to divert attention from what they are doing.
Stop putting me off while I'm working. · The noise put her off her game. · Don't let him put you off your stride.
To distract someone or divert their attention. The most natural translation for this meaning.
Don't put me off while I'm working.
More formal way to say 'disturb concentration'. Suitable for written or formal contexts.
The noise put him off his concentration.
To disrupt someone's rhythm or pace, often in sports or performance.
A tactic to put the opponent off their game.
The English phrasal verb 'put off' cannot be translated word-for-word into Japanese. Always choose the expression that matches the intended meaning: postponing, causing dislike, or distracting.
延期する is for rescheduling events or plans (neutral). 先延ばしにする is for procrastinating on tasks (negative nuance). Using 延期する for homework sounds unnatural; use 先延ばしにする instead.
That joke kind of put me off.
The crowd's noise put the player off.