1To avoid physical contact or obstacles; to move so as not to collide with something.
飛んできたボールを咄嗟に避けた。
I instinctively avoided the flying ball.
通りで急に現れた自転車を避けてよけた。
I dodged to avoid a bicycle that suddenly appeared on the road.
猫は犬を避けるように塀の陰に隠れた。
The cat hid behind the fence as if avoiding the dog.
2To avoid a situation, question, or responsibility; to evade an issue or topic.
彼は記者の質問をうまく避けた。
He smoothly evaded the reporter's questions.
面倒な手続きを避けるために、代理に頼んだ。
To avoid troublesome procedures, I asked a proxy to handle it.
問題から逃げずに向き合うべきで、単に避けるべきではない。
You should face problems instead of simply avoiding them.
3To ward off or avert harm or danger; to prevent something undesirable from happening.
予防接種で流行を避けることができる。
Vaccination can help avert an outbreak.
早めの対策で被害を避けられた。
Early measures helped avert damage.
4To move something aside or get out of the way; to put something out of the way so it does not obstruct.
邪魔にならないように、道の真ん中にあった石をよけておいた。
I moved the stone that was in the middle of the road aside so it wouldn't be in the way.
彼女は子どもが通れるように椅子を避けた。
She moved the chair aside so the child could pass.