échapper
/e.ʃa.pe/
The English verb 'to escape' is translated to French as échapper.
échapper means to avoid or elude an unpleasant person or thing. It is also used in the phrase échapper à la vigilance de [someone] to express that something escaped someone's notice or detection.
Meaning: to avoid (any unpleasant person or thing), to elude, get away from (verb)
Which one should you use?
While échapper is the general verb for escaping, the reflexive form s'échapper is more commonly used when referring to physical escapes from confinement or capture.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using échapper to mean escaping from a person, thing or situation, it is often followed by the preposition à. For example, you would use échapper à la police rather than échapper la police.
How do you pronounce it?
The word échapper is pronounced /e.ʃa.pe/ and has three syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When échapper is followed by an object, remember to include the preposition à. Avoid saying échapper la police. Instead, say échapper à la police.
Did you know?
- The word échapper is etymologically linked to the Latin word for 'cloak', 'cappa'. This suggests that the original idea of escaping was to slip out from under a cloak or to hide oneself.
- The verb échapper has a linguistic sibling called escaper. While they share a root, they entered the French language through different historical paths.
- In French, when someone cannot recall a specific name or word, they say ça m'échappe, suggesting the word has physically flown away from them.
Examples in context
- Tu ne m'échapperas pas.You won't escape me.This sentence uses échapper to show someone being unable to avoid another person.Tatoeba #3673171 by sacredceltic, translation #5715915 by CardinalRed
- Tu ne t'échapperas pas.You won't escape.This sentence uses échapper to show someone being unable to escape.Tatoeba #11931995 by lbdx, translation #6128495 by mailohilohi
- Il a réussi à s'échapper.He managed to escape.This sentence uses échapper to show someone succeeding in escaping.Tatoeba #131679 by nimfeo, translation #291976 by CK
- Je n'aime pas les endroits bondés, je préfère fuirI don't like crowded places, I prefer to escape
- Essaie de lâcher prise et de t'évader en faisant une activité relaxanteTry to let go and escape by doing a relaxing activity
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are trying to leave a boring party.
- NathanOn doit échapper à cette conversation.We have to escape this conversation.
- LéaJe suis d'accord, allons-y.I agree, let's go.
- NathanRegarde, on peut s'échapper par derrière.Look, we can escape through the back.
- LéaVite, avant qu'il ne nous voie !Quick, before he sees us!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry échapper, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries échapper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
