How to say "prevent" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 妨げるさまたげるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'prevent' in the sense of hindering or obstructing — getting in the way of something proceeding or developing smoothly, such as work, progress, or sleep; the nuance is interference rather than outright stopping.
- 阻むはばむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'prevent' as actively stopping someone from doing something — blocking or checking a person's action or advance. The nuance is forceful interception, thwarting an attempt rather than taking precautions.
- 食い止めるくいとめるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'prevent' when something undesirable is already under way and you hold it back or keep it at bay — checking a spread, an advance, or a decline before it grows worse.
- 防ぐふせぐgodan verb, transitive verbThe closest match for 'prevent' proper: taking measures in advance so that something undesirable — an accident, an infection, a loss — never happens. Choose this when the emphasis is on averting the event altogether.
- 拒むこばむgodan verb, transitive verbIts core meaning is to refuse or reject; as 'prevent' it appears when you deny someone something or block their access — a deliberate refusal to allow, not a general preventive measure.
Choose 「防ぐ」 to stop something bad from happening through advance measures, 「妨げる」 to hinder a process, 「阻む」 to stop someone's action, 「食い止める」 to hold back something spreading or advancing, and 「拒む」 to refuse or deny someone.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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