entgehen
/ɛntˈɡeːən/
In German, to escape is translated as entgehen. Wiktionary also lists ausweichen.
Meaning: to avoid (any unpleasant person or thing), to elude, get away from (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| entgehen | /ɛntˈɡeːən/ |
| ausweichen | [ˈaʊ̯sˌvaɪ̯çn̩] (narrow) |
The verb entgehen is used to describe avoiding or eluding an unpleasant person, thing or an unavoidable circumstance. It can also refer to escaping something that is destined to happen. If you are referring to the specific act of a breakout or an escape from confinement, such as from a prison, the noun Ausbruch is used instead.
Which one should you use?
Use entgehen when you are avoiding something that is an unavoidable circumstance or a certain event, such as death or a consequence. In contrast, use ausweichen when you physically dodge a moving object or metaphorically evade a direct question.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb entgehen requires the dative case for the object being escaped.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛntˈɡeːən/
Did you know?
- The root of ausweichen is weichen, which is the same root found in the English word 'wane', as both relate to moving away or receding.
- While entgehen is used for avoiding fate, the word fliehen is used for the physical act of fleeing, a distinction English often ignores by using 'escape' for both.
- If you want to say you 'escaped' a narrow situation in German, you might use the term davonkommen, which implies a lucky or miraculous flight rather than a calculated evasion.
Examples in context
- Niemand kann dem Älterwerden entgehen.No one can escape growing old.This sentence shows how to use entgehen with an abstract concept.Tatoeba #2435958 by brauchinet, translation #2435887 by kuma
- Ein weiteres Mal gelang es mir, dem Tode zu entgehen.Once again, I was able to escape death.This sentence demonstrates using entgehen to describe avoiding death.Tatoeba #1789981 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1438079 by CK
- Sie stellten sich an einer Bushaltestelle unter, um dem Regen zu entgehen.They went into a bus shelter to escape the rain.This sentence shows how to use entgehen to describe escaping a natural element like rain.Tatoeba #11303410 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10209260 by sundown
- Die Gefangenen konnten dem Hochsicherheitsgefängnis entkommenThe prisoners managed to escape from the high-security prison.
- Der Häftling plante seinen Ausbruch seit MonatenThe prisoner had been planning his escape for months.
- Gott sei Dank bin ich knapp dem Unfall davongekommenThankfully, I barely escaped the accident.
- Er versucht seinen Aufgaben auszuweichenHe is trying to escape his responsibilities.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are talking about a difficult boss at work.
- MaximilianWie kann ich diesem Chef entgehen?How can I escape this boss?
- SarahVielleicht solltest du einen neuen Job suchen.Maybe you should look for a new job.
- MaximilianDas ist eine gute Idee.That is a good idea.
- SarahIch helfe dir gerne dabei.I will gladly help you with that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “escape” translations and entries entgehen, ausweichen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ausweichen, entgehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
