回避|かいひkaihi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbevasion; avoidance
    現実げんじつを回避かいひするのはもうやめろ。↗
    Stop hiding your head in the sand.
  2. noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, lawrecusal (of a judge)
Conjugation
Dictionary form回避する(かいひする)
Polite (masu)回避します(かいひします)
Negative (nai)回避しない(かいひしない)
polite (masen)回避しません(かいひしません)
classical zu / nu回避せず・回避せぬ(かいひせず・かいひせぬ)
Past (ta)回避した(かいひした)
polite (mashita)回避しました(かいひしました)
Past negative (nakatta)回避しなかった(かいひしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)回避しませんでした(かいひしませんでした)
Te form回避して(かいひして)
Potential回避できる(かいひできる)
Passive回避される(かいひされる)
Causative回避させる(かいひさせる)
Causative passive回避させられる(かいひさせられる)
Conditional (ba)回避すれば(かいひすれば)
tara回避したら(かいひしたら)
Volitional回避しよう(かいひしよう)
polite (mashou)回避しましょう(かいひしましょう)
Imperative回避しろ(かいひしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym避けるさけるNeutralThe everyday all-rounder: avoid people, things, situations, topics, e.g. 「人目を避ける」. 「回避(する)」 is more written, for abstract objects like risk or responsibility.
  • Synonym忌避きひWrittenWritten/formal: shunning out of aversion, as in 「人を忌避する」「忌避剤」; in law, also seeking a judge's recusal. 「回避」 is more neutral, without the disgust.
  • Synonym逃れるのがれるNeutralTo escape or get free from a predicament or responsibility, as in 「責任を逃れる」. 「回避」 leans toward deliberately steering clear, often ahead of time.
  • Synonym免れるまぬがれるNeutralTo be spared an unwelcome outcome — 「難を免れる」「責任を免れる」 — focusing on the result of not being hit. 「回避」 is the deliberate act of steering clear beforehand.
  • Synonym逃避とうひNeutralEscaping from reality or difficulties, with a negative shade, as in 「現実逃避」. 「回避」 is more neutral.
  • Related逃げるにげるNeutralThe most colloquial: run away or flee, also shirk duties or dodge questions. 「回避」 is more written and stresses deliberate avoidance.
  • Related逃げにげNeutralNoun for running away or evading, as in 「逃げを打つ」. 「回避」 is more formal.
  • Related遠ざけるとおざけるNeutralTo keep someone or something at a distance from you, as in 「人を遠ざける」. With 「回避」 it is you who avoids the thing itself.
  • Related控えるひかえるNeutralTo restrain or cut down on an activity, as in 「外出を控える」. 「回避」 is about avoiding risks.
  • RelatedかいくぐるNeutralTo slip physically through a gap or past a barrier, as in 「警戒網を掻い潜る」. 「回避」 is more abstract.
  • RelatedかわすNeutralTo dodge an attack with a quick movement or sidestep a tricky question deftly. 「回避」 is more written/formal.
  • Related遠のけるとおのけるNeutralTo push a person or thing away and keep it distant. 「回避」 stresses your own deliberate avoidance.
  • Related忌むいむWrittenWritten/formal: to shun something as taboo or ill-omened. 「回避」 is about avoiding risks.
  • Relatedすり抜けるすりぬけるNeutralTo weave through a crowd or slip past, also elude the law. 「回避」 stresses avoiding something in advance.
  • Relatedくぐり抜けるくぐりぬけるNeutralTo struggle through hardship or danger, or slip through a legal loophole. 「回避」 is simply about avoiding.
  • Antonym直面ちょくめんNeutralAntonym on the avoid-vs-face axis: to confront difficulties or problems head-on.
  • Antonym向かうむかうNeutralAntonym in the same face-vs-flee sense: to turn toward and face something directly.
  • Antonym対処たいしょNeutralAntonym on the avoid-vs-handle axis: to deal with a situation actively and take proper measures.

Use 「回避」 for deliberately steering clear of risk, responsibility or conflict, as in 「リスク回避」; it leans written. For everyday avoiding of people, things or topics, 「避ける」 is the default. 「逃避」 covers escaping reality, 「免れる」 being spared disaster or responsibility. Antonyms: 「直面」「対処」 for facing and handling problems.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 物事ものごとを避さけること。
  2. 裁判官さいばんかん・裁判所さいばんしょ書記官しょきかんが、自己じこに除斥じょせき・忌避きひの事由じゆうがあると考かんがえる場合ばあいに、自みずからその事件じけんの職務しょくむを避さけること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android