Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “run away” in Spanish! Whether you’re looking for formal or informal expressions, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find various ways to express this concept, along with tips, examples, and even some regional variations. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Expressions
- “Huir” – This is the most common and formal way to say “run away” in Spanish. It can be used in different contexts, like escaping from danger or fleeing from a difficult situation. Example: “El prisionero logró huir de la cárcel” (The prisoner managed to run away from jail).
- “Escapar” – Another formal option, “escapar” means “to escape.” It can be used when referring to a planned getaway or fleeing a specific place. Example: “Los soldados lograron escapar del campo de batalla” (The soldiers managed to run away from the battlefield).
- “Fugarse” – This formal verb is more specific and often relates to escaping or running away from confinement or captivity. It is commonly used when someone escapes from prison, jail, or a similar setting. Example: “El preso se fugó durante la noche” (The prisoner ran away during the night).
2. Informal Expressions
- “Irse por patas” – This informal phrase, using the expression “irse por patas” (literally “to leave by feet”), conveys the idea of running away quickly or escaping. Example: “Cuando vio al perro rabioso, se fue por patas” (When he saw the rabid dog, he ran away).
- “Salir corriendo” – This informal expression means “to run off” and is commonly used in casual conversations. Example: “Después de hacer la travesura, salió corriendo para evitar regaños” (After causing trouble, he ran off to avoid scolding).
- “Pirarse” – Another informal way to express “run away” in Spanish, “pirarse” is colloquially used to describe leaving abruptly or abruptly escaping from a place or situation. Example: “En cuanto supo que habían descubierto su mentira, se piró sin esperar explicaciones” (As soon as he found out they had discovered his lie, he ran away without waiting for explanations).
3. Regional Variations
While the above expressions are widely used in Spanish-speaking countries, there can be slight variations throughout different regions. Here are a couple of regional variations:
3.1. Mexico
In Mexico, instead of “irse por patas,” you might hear the phrase “patear el bote” to express the act of running away. Example: “Sabía que se metió en problemas, así que decidió patear el bote” (He knew he got into trouble, so he decided to run away).
3.2. Argentina
In Argentina, a colloquial way to say “run away” is by using the phrase “tomar el raje”. Example: “Luego del accidente, el conductor tomó el raje sin importarle el daño causado” (After the accident, the driver ran away without caring about the damage caused).
4. Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to further enhance your understanding:
Tip: Consider the context and level of formality when choosing the appropriate expression for “run away” in Spanish.
Example 1: “When the alarm went off, the thief ran away from the scene.” – “Cuando sonó la alarma, el ladrón huyó del lugar.”
Example 2: “The children giggled mischievously and ran off.” – “Los niños se rieron traviesamente y salieron corriendo.”
Example 3: “Realizing he had been caught, the suspect escaped through the back door.” – “Al darse cuenta de que lo habían atrapado, el sospechoso se fugó por la puerta trasera.”
5. Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our comprehensive guide on how to say “run away” in Spanish. Now you’re equipped with formal and informal expressions, as well as some regional variations. Remember to choose the appropriate phrase based on the context and level of formality. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be able to express a “run away” scenario fluently in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte!
