Japanese Conversation · Level 50
90 words
Japanese word
そらす
Pronunciation
Romajisorasu
Meaning
- verblook away
Example
彼はまぶしい光から目をそらします。kare wa ma bu shi i hikari ka ra me o so ra shi ma su
He looks away from the bright light.
More examples
彼は責任の話になると、すぐに話題をそらします。kare wa seki nin no hanashi ni na ru to su gu ni wa dai o so ra shi ma su
As soon as the conversation turns to responsibility, he changes the subject.
Core concept
It moves a gaze, attention, or topic away from its original focus and toward something else.
Common phrases
目をそらすme o so ra su
look away
視線をそらすshi sen o so ra su
avert one's gaze
話題をそらすwa dai o so ra su
change the subject
Similar words
背けるsomukeru: To turn the face, gaze, or attention away from its current focus.
Definition in Japanese
視線や注意などを、本来向けていた方向から別の方向へ向ける。shi sen ya chū i na do o hon rai mu ke te i ta hō kō ka ra betsu no hō kō e mu ke ru
Word origin
The native Japanese verb そらす (sorasu) is the transitive counterpart of それる (soreru, "deviate"), sharing the idea of moving off an original direction.
Usage tips
- In conversation, そらす (sorasu) can describe steering a topic away from a difficult point, so look away covers only its visual use.
Other meanings
- change the subjectverb
- divertverb
- evadeverb
Opposites
- 向けるmukeruturn towardverb