huir
/ˈw̝iɾ/
The English phrase "run away" is translated into Spanish as huir.
Huir means to flee by running. When you are running away from a person, a place or an abstract concept, you almost always follow the verb with the preposition de (e.g., huir de).
Meaning: to flee by running (verb)
Which one should you use?
While huir implies fleeing from a danger or a specific situation, the verb escapar focuses more specifically on the act of escaping from a trap or confinement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of huir is huye. The gerund form, used for running away, is huyendo. In the preterite past tense, the first-person singular form is huí.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈw̝iɾ/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of huir is also found in the English word 'fugue', which refers to a psychological state where a person flees their identity and wanders away.
- In Spanish literature, when a character is said to huir de la realidad, it is a common way to describe someone who is daydreaming or living in a fantasy world.
- In some contexts, huir can be used as a metaphor for avoiding a conversation or a difficult truth, similar to 'dodging' a question in English.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué tratas de huir?Why do you try to run away?This sentence is useful for asking about the motive behind the action of huir.Tatoeba #1433791 by marcelostockle, translation #1433790 by marcelostockle
- No puedes huir de ti mismo.You can't run away from yourself.This sentence is useful for expressing the impossibility of huir from one's own identity.Tatoeba #9225506 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9225512 by rafaeldejesus8199
- No se puede huir de la edad.You can't run away from age.This sentence is useful for illustrating that one cannot huir from the passage of time or age.Tatoeba #2091070 by Shishir, translation #2430764 by kuma
- El prisionero logró huir de la cárcelThe prisoner managed to run away from jail
- Los soldados lograron escapar del campo de batallaThe soldiers managed to run away from the battlefield
- El preso se fugó durante la nocheThe prisoner ran away during the night
- Después de hacer la travesura, salió corriendo para evitar regañosAfter causing trouble, he ran off to avoid scolding
- En cuanto supo que habían descubierto su mentira, se piró sin esperar explicacionesAs soon as he found out they had discovered his lie, he ran away without waiting for explanations
- Cuando sonó la alarma, el ladrón huyó del lugar.When the alarm went off, the thief ran away from the scene.
- Los niños se rieron traviesamente y salieron corriendo.The children giggled mischievously and ran off.
- Al darse cuenta de que lo habían atrapado, el sospechoso se fugó por la puerta trasera.Realizing he had been caught, the suspect escaped through the back door.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about a movie scene.
- MaríaEl ladrón intentó huir por la puerta trasera.The thief tried to run away through the back door.
- AlejandroPero la policía lo atrapó rápidamente.But the police caught him quickly.
- MaríaSí, fue imposible huir de ese lugar.Yes, it was impossible to run away from that place.
- AlejandroFue un final muy sorprendente.It was a very surprising ending.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “run away” translations and entries huir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries huir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
