Translation and Meaning of: 避ける - sakeru

The Japanese word 避ける [さける] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, especially due to its frequent use in everyday life. Its main meaning is "to avoid" or "to dodge," but like many words in Japanese, its use goes beyond the literal translation. In this article, we will explore everything from its meaning and writing to curiosities about how this word is perceived in Japanese culture. If you have used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you may have come across it in practical sentences – now, let's understand its context more deeply.

Meaning and usage of 避ける

The verb 避ける conveys the idea of intentionally distancing oneself from something, whether it be a physical object, a situation, or even a person. It can be used in both concrete contexts, such as avoiding an obstacle in the path, as well as in abstract situations, like escaping discussions. For example, 危険を避ける (kiken o sakeru) means "to avoid dangers."

An interesting characteristic is that さける (sakeru) does not imply only a physical action, but also a conscious decision. Unlike words like 逃げる (nigeru, "to flee"), which suggest a more impulsive reaction, 避ける (sakeru) has a more strategic tone. This reflects a Japanese cultural aspect: the appreciation of prudence and planning.

The writing in kanji and its origin

The kanji 避 is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) combined with 辟 (originally related to "deviate" or "move away"). This combination reinforces the idea of moving away from something. The reading さける is of Japanese origin (kun'yomi), while the on'yomi reading ひ (hi) appears in words like 回避 (kaihi, "evasion").

It is worth noting that this kanji is not one of the simplest – it has 16 strokes – but its logical structure aids in memorization. The radical 辶 appears in several other movement verbs, such as 返す (kaesu, "return") and 進む (susumu, "advance"), which can be useful for students to associate word families.

Cultural contexts and special uses

In Japan, avoiding direct conflicts is often seen as a virtue, and 避ける appears in expressions that reflect this. For example, 人混みを避ける (hitogomi o sakeru, "avoid crowds") is not just about convenience, but also about respecting others' space. In work environments, it is common to hear トラブルを避ける (toraburu o sakeru, "avoid problems").

Interestingly, this word also appears in public notices, such as signs that say 落石注意、迂回を避ける (rakuseki chuui, ukai o sakeru – "Caution: falling rocks, avoid detours"). Here, the verb takes on a nearly institutional tone, demonstrating its versatility in both formal and informal registers.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 避ける

• 避けます - Polite affirmative form
• 避けません - Negative form, polite
• 避ける - Affirmative form, casual
• 避けない - Negative form, casual
• 避けよう - Imperative form, volitional

Synonyms and similar words

• 避く (saku) - Avoid
• 回避する (kaihi suru) - To avoid, to actively steer clear of something
• 避ける (sakeru) - Avoid, evade a situation
• 避る (sukaru) - Dodge, escape
• 避けがたい (sakegatai) - Hard to avoid
• 避けがたさ (sakegatasu) - Quality of being hard to avoid
• 避けがたい事実 (sakegatai jijitsu) - Fact that is hard to avoid
• 避けがたい問題 (sakegatai mondai) - A problem that is difficult to avoid

避ける

Romaji: sakeru
Kana: さける
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: avoid

Meaning in English: to avoid

Definition: distance oneself from something.

Example Sentences - (避ける) sakeru

See below some example sentences:

避けることができない問題がある。

Hikeru koto ga dekinai mondai ga aru

There is a problem that cannot be avoided.

There is an inevitable problem.

• 避ける - verb that means "to avoid"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できない - adjective that means "cannot be done"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• が - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

間隔が狭いところは人が集まるのを避けるべきです。

Makaku ga semai tokoro wa hito ga atsumaru no o sakkeru beki desu

Você deve evitar reunir pessoas quando o intervalo for estreito.

• 間隔 - espaço, intervalo
• が - subject particle
• 狭い - estreito, apertado
• ところ - place
• は - Topic particle
• 人 - person
• が - subject particle
• 集まる - Meet, join
• のを - particle that indicates direct object
• 避ける - avoid
• べき - deveria
• です - forma educada de ser ou estar

害は避けるべきです。

Gai wa sakeru beki desu

The damage should be avoided.

• 害 (gai) - damage
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 避ける (sakeru) - avoid, prevent
• べき (beki) - grammatical auxiliary indicating obligation, duty
• です (desu) - polite way of being

極端な意見は避けるべきだ。

Kyokutan na iken wa sakkeru beki da

Extreme Opinions Should Be Avoid.

Extreme opinions should be avoided.

• 極端な意見 - "extreme opinions"
• は - Topic particle
• 避ける - "avoid"
• べき - "must"
• だ - affirmative form of the verb "to be"

減点は避けたいです。

Genten wa saketai desu

I want to avoid losing points.

I want to avoid deductions.

• 減点 - a Japanese word meaning "deducted points".
• は - a Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "points deducted".
• 避けたい - a Japanese word meaning "to want to avoid".
• です - a polite way to end a sentence in Japanese.

死亡は避けられない運命です。

Shibou wa yokerarenai unmei desu

A morte é um destino inevitável.

A morte é um destino inevitável.

• 死亡 - morte
• は - Topic particle
• 避けられない - inevitável
• 運命 - destination
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

接触することは避けてください。

Sesshoku suru koto wa sakete kudasai

Evite o contato.

Evite entrar em contato.

• 接触する - contato, toque
• こと - thing, subject
• は - Topic particle
• 避ける - avoid, prevent
• て - partícula conjuntiva
• ください - Please, make.

乗り越しは避けたい。

Norikoshi wa saketai

I want to avoid overcoming.

I want to avoid overcoming.

• 乗り越し - means "overtaking" or "to exceed the limit".
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 避けたい - verb meaning "to want to avoid".
• .

人が込む場所は避けたいです。

Hito ga komu basho wa saketai desu

Eu quero evitar lugares lotados de pessoas.

Eu quero evitar o lugar onde as pessoas podem ir.

• 人 - significa "pessoas" em japonês.
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 込む - é um verbo que significa "estar lotado" ou "estar cheio".
• 場所 - significa "lugar" ou "local" em japonês.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 避けたい - it's a verb that means "to want to avoid".
• です - é uma partícula gramatical que indica a forma educada do verbo "ser" em japonês.

揉めることは避けたいです。

Momeru koto wa saketai desu

Eu quero evitar conflitos.

Eu quero evitar esfregar.

• 揉める - verbo que significa "brigar", "discutir", "ter conflitos"
• こと - substantivo que significa "coisa", "fato"
• は - partícula que indica o tópico da frase, neste caso, "coisas que"
• 避ける - verbo que significa "evitar", "prevenir", "fugir de"
• たい - sufixo que indica desejo, neste caso, "querer"
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"