Translation guide
The English verb 'repel' covers physical pushing away, causing disgust, and resisting something. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these core meanings, from most common to niche.
We repelled the enemy.
A spray that repels insects.
To drive away or shoo away. Common for animals, pests, or unwanted people.
To repel or shed something like water, bullets, or attacks. Often used for materials or surfaces.
This fabric repels water.
He repelled the arrow with his shield.
To keep something away, not let it come near. Often used for insects or unwanted approaches.
This scent repels insects.
To make someone feel repulsed or disgusted.
Formal expression meaning 'to cause a feeling of disgust'. Suitable for describing something repulsive.
His attitude repelled me.
To make someone feel unpleasant or uncomfortable. Common in everyday speech.
The smell repelled me.
Casual, strong expression for making someone feel disgusted or sick. Often used in informal contexts.
That movie really repels me.
Literally 'physiologically cannot accept'. Strong expression for instinctive repulsion.
To resist an idea, influence, temptation, or abstract force.
To refuse or reject something like an offer, advance, or temptation. Can imply repelling an abstract thing.
I repelled the temptation.
To flatly reject or repulse an idea, proposal, or advance. Stronger than 拒む.
To repel or drive back an argument, criticism, or attack. Often used in formal or written contexts.
To not be affected by water, magnets, etc.
Used for water repellency, magnetic repulsion, etc. Same as physical push away but in scientific context.
This coating repels water.
Like poles repel each other.
Specifically for magnetic or electrical repulsion. Also used figuratively for resistance.
Like poles of a magnet repel.
撃退する is more forceful and often used for enemies or serious threats. 追い払う is for driving away animals or pests, and can be used in daily life.
English 'repel' for disgust is often translated as 不快にさせる or 嫌悪感を抱かせる. Direct translations like 反発させる are unnatural for emotional repulsion.
I find his face repelling.
彼の提案をはねつけた。
She repelled his proposal.
批判を退ける。
Repel criticism.