Translation guide
How to express 'step aside' in Japanese, covering physical movement, yielding position, and figurative stepping down.
To move one's body to the side, often to make way for someone or something.
A natural way to say 'step aside' or 'move to the side'. Used when physically moving out of the way.
すみません、ちょっと脇に寄ってください。
Excuse me, please step aside a little.
Literally 'clear the way'. Used when making space for someone to pass.
To voluntarily give up a position, job, or responsibility to someone else.
Literally 'pull oneself back'. Means to step down or withdraw from a position, often for the benefit of others.
To allow someone else to take charge or have an opportunity, often in a non-physical sense.
Literally 'take a step back'. Used when someone deliberately steps back to let others lead or to reassess a situation.
ここは一歩引いて彼に任せよう。
Let's step aside here and leave it to him.
Directly translating 'step aside' as 横に歩く (よこにあるく) or 脇に歩く (わきにあるく) sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above depending on context.
人が通れるように道を空けてください。
Please step aside so people can pass.
A casual verb meaning 'to get out of the way'. Often used in informal situations.
どいて！
Step aside! / Move!
彼は社長の座から身を引いた。
He stepped aside from the position of company president.
Means 'to yield' or 'to concede'. Can be used when stepping aside to let someone else take over.
彼女は後進に道を譲った。
She stepped aside for the younger generation.
A formal term for stepping down or retiring from a position. Often used in official contexts.
会長は高齢を理由に退いた。
The chairman stepped aside due to old age.
Literally 'yield the way'. Can be used figuratively to mean stepping aside for someone else's advancement.
ベテランが若手に道を譲るべきだ。
Veterans should step aside for the younger members.