避ける・除ける|さけるsakeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
よけるyokeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
避ける避ける is the most common and standard form, and is the form learners should use for the meanings covered by this entry.
除ける除ける is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant; beginners will seldom encounter it and should normally choose 避ける instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto avoid (physical contact with)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto avoid (situation); to evade (question, subject); to shirk (one's responsibilities)
- ichidan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto ward off; to avert
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto put aside; to move out of the way
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 避ける（さける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 避けます（さけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 避けない（さけない） |
| polite (masen) | 避けません（さけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 避けず・避けぬ（さけず・さけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 避けた（さけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 避けました（さけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 避けなかった（さけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 避けませんでした（さけませんでした） |
| Te form | 避けて（さけて） |
| Potential | 避けられる（さけられる） |
| Passive | 避けられる（さけられる） |
| Causative | 避けさせる（さけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 避けさせられる（さけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 避ければ（さければ） |
| tara | 避けたら（さけたら） |
| Volitional | 避けよう（さけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 避けましょう（さけましょう） |
| Imperative | 避けろ（さけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym回避かいひWrittenTo contrive to avoid something, as in 「危険を回避する」 or 「責任回避」. Leans written and formal.
- Synonym控えるひかえるNeutralTo hold back or refrain from doing something for the time being, as in 「外出を控える」. The focus is on self-restraint.
- Related逃げるにげるNeutralMeans to flee or run away, as in 「犯人が逃げる」. The focus is on leaving the scene, while 「避ける」 is about not making contact in the first place.
- Related逃れるのがれるWrittenFor escaping or getting free of danger or responsibility, as in 「責任を逃れる」. Leans towards written prose; the emphasis is on getting yourself out.
- Related免れるまぬがれるNeutralMeans to be spared or escape something bad, as in 「被害を免れる」. The focus is on the outcome of not suffering it.
- Related忌避きひWrittenAvoidance out of aversion, as in 「徴兵忌避」; in law, requesting that a judge step aside. Tends to appear in written prose.
- Related遠ざけるとおざけるNeutralTo keep a person or thing away from you, as in 「悪友を遠ざける」. The point is maintaining distance.
- RelatedかいくぐるNeutralTo slip through a gap, or skilfully slip past a difficulty, as in 「警戒の網を掻い潜る」.
- Related遠のけるとおのけるWrittenAlso means to keep something at a distance, close to 「遠ざける」. Fairly rare in use.
- RelatedかわすNeutralTo dodge an attack or a question nimbly, as in 「質問をかわす」. The emphasis is on quick, agile sidestepping.
- Antonym向かうむかうNeutralTo face or head towards something; it stands opposite 「避ける」 in moving to meet rather than dodging away.
- Antonym近づくちかづくNeutralTo approach or draw near; the opposite of 「避ける」, which keeps things at bay.
- Antonym直面するNeutralTo confront a problem or difficulty head-on; the opposite of the evasive 「避ける」.
Use 「避ける」 for deliberately keeping away from something or avoiding contact. To flee, say 「逃げる」; to break free, 「逃れる」; to be spared, 「免れる」; to dodge nimbly, 「躱す」; in formal contexts, 「回避」. The opposite is 「直面する」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
