Japanese word

それる

Pronunciation

Romajisoreru

Meaning

  • verbveer off

Example

車が道からそれます。kuruma ga michi ka ra so re ma su

The car veers off the road.

Illustration for それる (veer off)

More examples

会議中に話がそれました。kai gi chū ni hanashi ga so re ma shi ta

The discussion went off topic during the meeting.

Core concept

Describes moving away from an intended route, direction, or line of focus instead of staying on course.

Common phrases

  • 道からそれるmichi ka ra so re ru

    veer off the road

  • 話がそれるhanashi ga so re ru

    go off topic

  • 本筋からそれるhon suji ka ra so re ru

    stray from the main point

Similar words

外れるhazureru: To leave a designated route or fail to remain within an intended range.
ずれるzureru: To move out of alignment with a position, direction, or central point.
脱線するdassensuru: To leave a railway track or depart from the subject of discussion.

Definition in Japanese

進むべき道や方向から外れて別の方へ向かうこと。susu mu be ki michi ya hō kō ka ra hazu re te betsu no hō e mu ka u ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 逸れる (soreru, "to go astray") is the intransitive counterpart of 逸らす (sorasu, "to divert"), expressing movement away from a path or aim.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, それる (soreru) applies both to a vehicle leaving its route and to a conversation drifting away from its topic, connecting physical and figurative uses.

Other meanings

  • missverb
  • strayverb

Word lists with this word