振(ふ)り払(はら)う

ふりはらう
verb (godan う)
to shake off, to brush away
1. to shake off, to brush away
To physically remove something by shaking or brushing with force, such as removing someone's hand or brushing off dust.
彼女(かのじょ)は彼(かれ)の手(て)を振(ふ)り払(はら)った。
She shook off his hand.
肩(かた)についた雪(ゆき)を振(ふ)り払(はら)う。
I brush the snow off my shoulders.
2. to shake off, to cast off
To rid oneself of something unwanted, such as unpleasant thoughts, memories, or feelings.
嫌(いや)な記憶(きおく)を振(ふ)り払(はら)おうとしたが、無理(むり)だった。
I tried to shake off the unpleasant memories, but I couldn't.

USAGE: 振(ふ)り払(はら)う is a compound verb combining 振(ふ)る (to shake, to swing) and 払(はら)う (to sweep away, to brush off). It emphasizes a forceful or deliberate action of removing something.

TRANSITIVITY: Transitive (他動詞(たどうし)). Takes を for what is being shaken off.

ASPECT: 振(ふ)り払(はら)っている indicates ongoing or repeated brushing away.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 手(て)を振(ふ)り払(はら)う (to shake off someone's hand)
  • 不安(ふあん)を振(ふ)り払(はら)う (to shake off anxiety)
  • 眠気(ねむけ)を振(ふ)り払(はら)う (to shake off drowsiness)
  • 誘惑(ゆうわく)を振(ふ)り払(はら)う (to resist temptation)

NUANCE: Implies rejection or resistance. Often used when someone is trying to free themselves from an unwanted grip, thought, or influence.

Related Words

Related: 振(ふ)る (to shake)
Related: 払(はら)う (to brush off)
Related: 振(ふ)り切(き)る (to shake free)
general
Added 2026.1.17 15:44 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06239_furiharau