Translation guide
The English verb 'shun' means to deliberately avoid, ignore, or reject someone or something. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases that convey avoidance, ostracism, or keeping away from something undesirable. The choice depends on whether you are avoiding a person, a topic, a responsibility, or a situation, and the degree of social rejection involved.
To deliberately stay away from someone, often due to dislike, fear, or social rejection.
General verb for avoiding someone or something. Can be used for people, places, or situations. Neutral in tone.
彼は私を避けている。
He is shunning me.
彼女は元彼を避けている。
She is avoiding her ex-boyfriend.
To keep someone at a distance, often out of respect, dislike, or to avoid trouble. Implies a deliberate choice to stay away.
彼は面倒な人を敬遠している。
He shuns troublesome people.
To shun or keep away from someone due to feeling distant or estranged. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼は友人から疎まれている。
He is shunned by his friends.
To deliberately not talk about or engage with a particular subject.
Same verb as above, but used for topics, questions, or discussions.
彼はその話題を避けた。
He shunned the topic.
政治の話は避けましょう。
Let's avoid talking about politics.
Literally 'to avert one's eyes'. Figuratively means to shun or turn away from an unpleasant reality or topic.
To systematically ignore or exclude someone from a community or social circle.
Traditional term for ostracism, literally 'village eight-tenths'. Means to cut off social ties with someone, excluding them from all but the most essential community functions (fire and funeral). Strongly conveys shunning.
彼は村八分にされた。
He was shunned by the village.
To exclude someone from a group; to leave someone out. Common in everyday contexts like school or workplace.
彼女はクラスで仲間外れにされている。
She is being shunned by her classmates.
To ignore someone completely. Can be used for shunning by giving the silent treatment.
彼は私を完全に無視している。
He is completely shunning me.
To stay away from something because it is harmful, unpleasant, or against one's principles.
Again, the most versatile verb. Works for avoiding foods, habits, risks, etc.
彼は脂肪分の多い食べ物を避けている。
He shuns fatty foods.
危険は避けるべきだ。
You should shun danger.
To keep something away; to distance oneself from something. Often used for habits or influences.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'shun' in all contexts. Using 避ける (sakeru) is the safest general choice, but for strong social ostracism, consider 村八分にする or 仲間外れにする. Avoid directly translating 'shun' as 拒絶する (kyozetsu suru, 'reject'), as that implies a more active refusal rather than avoidance.
避ける (sakeru) means to avoid someone or something, often by staying away physically or not engaging. 無視する (mushi suru) means to ignore, often by not acknowledging someone's presence or words. Shunning can involve both, but 避ける is closer to the core meaning of deliberate avoidance.
He is shunning reality.
悪い習慣を遠ざける。
Shun bad habits.