JLPT N3 Vocabulary – “さける” or “よける”? The Meanings and Usage Differences of “避ける”
Table of Contents
1. The Meanings and Usage Differences of “避ける”
2. さける
3. よける
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: Is there a difference between reading “避ける” as “さける” and “よける”?
A: For native Japanese speakers, the distinction between “さける” and “よける” is usually determined naturally based on context and situation. The appropriate reading is chosen depending on the meaning and conditions of the scene.
さける
[Meaning]
① To distance oneself from or avoid approaching people or things that are dangerous, troublesome, or undesirable
② To intentionally avoid words or actions that may lead to inconvenience or negative outcomes
[Commonly used with]
時間 (time), トラブル (trouble), 危険 (danger), 混乱 (confusion), 事故 (accidents), 対立 (conflict) , 災害 (disaster) etc.
[Examples]
危険を避けるために、こちらの道を歩きましょう。（①）
To avoid danger, let’s take this road instead.
あの政治家はずっと真実の公表を避けています。（②）
That politician has been avoiding the disclosure of the truth for a long time.
“さける” is not typically used for simple physical actions in daily life, but rather for intentional or planned efforts to avoid problems. It is especially used in situations where one avoids serious or unpleasant conditions, such as trouble, crowded trains, or typhoons.
[Examples]
この時間は人が多いので、避けたほうがいいです。
There are a lot of people at this time, so it’s better to avoid it.
⇒ This means predicting congestion and intentionally choosing not to go at that time.
満員電車を避けるために、時差出勤をしています。
I commute at off-peak hours to avoid crowded trains.
あの人とトラブルになるのは避けたいものです。
I’d really like to avoid getting into trouble with that person.
私たちは、地震による災害をできるだけ避けるために備えています。
We are preparing as much as possible to avoid disasters caused by earthquakes.
不正を犯したにもかかわらず、彼はコメントすることを避けています。
Despite having committed a wrongdoing, he continues to avoid making any comments.
よける
[Meaning]
① To move one’s body or an object to the side to avoid touching or being hit
② To prevent harm or misfortune in advance
③ To separate or exclude part of a whole
[Commonly used with]
ボール (ball), 人 (person), 車 (car), 自転車 (bicycle), 風 (wind), 雨 (rain), 日差し (sunlight), etc.
[Examples]
この道は狭いから、車をよけなければいけません。（①）
This road is narrow, so you have to avoid the cars.
傘をさして雨をよけました。（②）
I used an umbrella to shield myself from the rain.
子供のお菓子を少しよけておきました。（③）
I set aside some snacks for the children.
“よける” gives the impression of physically creating distance from something in front of you by using your body or movement. It is used not only with tangible objects like balls or rain, but also with less visible things like sunlight or smoke.
[Examples]
飛んできたボールをよけました。
I dodged the ball that came flying toward me.
⇒ This means I moved my body to avoid being hit by the ball.
たくさんの人をよけながら通り抜けるのは大変です。
It’s difficult to make your way through while avoiding many people.
木陰に入って日差しをよけました。
I stepped into the shade to avoid the sunlight.
たばこの煙が苦手なので、手でよけました。
Since I don’t like cigarette smoke, I waved it away with my hand.
“よける” is also used not only for physical avoidance, but to mean removing or setting aside a part of a group.
[Examples]
このパーツは不良品なので、よけておきました。
This part was defective, so I set it aside.
⇒ This means the defective part was separated from among many others.
腐った野菜をよけて、新鮮なものだけ袋に入れました。
I removed the rotten vegetables and put only the fresh ones in the bag.
お客様にパンフレットをお渡しするために、一冊よけておきました。
I set aside one brochure to give to a customer.
Let’s Compare
Both “よける” and “さける” are written as “避ける,” but the correct usage depends on the target and situation. Let’s look at the following examples to understand the difference.
[Example ①]
津波をさけるために、大きな防波堤を建てました。
津波をよけるために、大きな防波堤を建てました。
The correct answer is: ① “さける.”
A tsunami is a serious natural disaster. Rather than avoiding it in the moment with physical movement, the focus is on taking planned measures in advance to prevent damage.
In such cases, “さける” is the more appropriate choice than “よける.”
[Example ②]
忙しい時間帯をさけて、買い物に行きました。
忙しい時間帯をよけて、買い物に行きました。
The correct answer is: ① “さけて” (to avoid).
The phrase “busy hours” refers to an abstract situation where there are many people and heavy crowds. In this context, the action is a deliberate and planned choice to avoid that time. Therefore, “さける” is the more natural option.
In summary:
- よける is used when physically avoiding tangible things (like cars, rain, or people) through movement.
- さける is used when intentionally and thoughtfully avoiding abstract or serious situations (like disasters, trouble, or busy hours).
Choose based on this distinction.
Summary
[さける]
- Words like “time” and “trouble” refer to abstract or serious situations, and “さける” is used to describe the intentional and planned action of avoiding involvement with them.
- For major natural disasters such as “tsunami,” “earthquake,” or “typhoon,” it is appropriate to use “さける” rather than “よける.”
[よける]
- Describes avoiding something that may cause harm by physically moving or using the body.
- It can also mean separating or setting aside part of a whole.
Similer Articles
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