also: よける
ichidan verb, transitive verb
dodge; avoid physical contact; get out of the way of
Only with reading よける
Read よける. Used when avoiding something physically, such as a person, vehicle, ball, puddle, or obstacle.
飛んできたボールをよけた。
I dodged the ball that came flying at me.
水たまりをよけて歩いた。
I walked around the puddles.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only with reading さける
Read さける. Used for avoiding situations, topics, questions, duties, risks, or unpleasant involvement; with responsibilities, it can imply shirking them.
混雑を避けるため、朝早く出発した。
We left early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
彼はその質問を避けた。
He evaded that question.
ichidan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb
Used for preventing or keeping away something undesirable, such as sun, danger, misfortune, or a bad outcome. The よける reading is common for physical shielding, while さける is common for averting risks or outcomes.
帽子で強い日差しをよける。
I use a hat to ward off the strong sunlight.
早めの対策で最悪の事態を避けることができた。
We were able to avert the worst-case scenario by acting early.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
put aside; move out of the way
Only with reading よける
Read よける. Used when moving an object aside so that space is clear or something is no longer in the way.
通路の荷物を脇によけてください。
Please move the luggage in the passage off to the side.