godan verb (-su), transitive verb
divert; distract; relieve; drown (sorrows); beguile (time)
Used for turning one's attention away from something unpleasant, such as boredom, sadness, or worry. Often appears with 気を, 悲しみを, or 退屈を.
See also: 紛らす
He tried to drown his sorrows by drinking.
退屈を紛らわすために、本を読んだ。
I read a book to relieve my boredom.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
conceal; hide; shift (conversation); change (subject)
Used for hiding one's true feelings or steering a conversation away from an awkward topic. Common with 笑顔で, 話題を, or 話を.
See also: 紛らす
彼女は笑顔で悲しみを紛らわした。
She hid her sadness with a smile.
彼は話題を紛らわそうとした。
He tried to change the subject.