godan verb (-su), transitive verb
divert one's mind; distract oneself; relieve boredom or sorrow
Used when someone intentionally turns their attention away from unpleasant feelings, boredom, or sadness by doing something else. Often appears with nouns like 気, 悲しみ, 退屈, or 憂さ.
散歩をして気を紛らした。
I took a walk to distract myself.
彼は酒で悲しみを紛らそうとした。
He tried to drown his sorrows with alcohol.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
conceal one's feelings; hide grief; change the subject
Used when someone masks an emotion, especially with a smile or by steering the conversation elsewhere. Common with 笑顔, 話題, or 涙.
彼女は笑顔で悲しみを紛らした。
She hid her sadness with a smile.
彼は話題を変えてその場を紛らした。
He changed the subject to smooth over the situation.