How to Say "Runaway" in Japanese

逃亡者

tōbōsha[to̞ːbo̞ːɕa̠]

The English word runaway can be translated into Japanese as 逃亡者 (tōbōsha).

The term refers to a person or organization that escapes captivity or restrictions.

Meaning: a person or organization that escapes captivity or restrictions (noun)

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

逃亡者 is a formal, journalistic or legal term used to describe a fugitive or someone who has escaped.

tōbōsha

The kanji 亡 in 逃亡者 can mean 'death' or 'deceased', suggesting that in ancient times, escaping was often equated with being dead to one's former life.
Japanese has a specific term 脱走 for a runaway prisoner or soldier, which differs from 逃亡 by emphasizing the breaking of a physical or strict boundary.
While 逃亡者 is used for criminals, a student who skips school or a child who runs away from home is more likely to be called 家出少女 or 家出少年.

道路沿いに逃亡者が見つかった。(Douro-zoi ni toubousha ga mitsukatta.)
A fugitive was found along the road.
警察は逃走者を追いかけている。(Keisatsu wa tousousha o oikakete iru.)
The police are chasing the escapee.
彼は学校から逃げ出した。(Kare wa gakkou kara nigedashita.)
He ran away from school.
子供が公園で逃げました。(Kodomo ga kouen de nigemashita.)
The child ran away in the park.
彼は逃亡者として国際的に指名手配された。(Kare wa toubousha toshite kokusaiteki ni shimei tehai sareta.)
He was internationally wanted as a fugitive.
子供たちは遊園地から逃げ出した。(Kodomotachi wa yuuenchi kara nigedashita.)
The children ran away from the amusement park.
彼は長年の逃亡者だ。
Kare wa naganen no toubou-sha da.
He is a long-time runaway.
その逃亡者は捕まった。
Sono toubou-sha wa tsukamatta.
The runaway was caught.
逃亡者を追うのは難しい。
Toubou-sha o ou no wa muzukashii.
Chasing a runaway is difficult.

Hiroto and Yui are talking about a news report.

大翔 Hiroto

ニュースで逃亡者が捕まったって。
Nyūsu de toubousha ga tsukamatta tte.
The news says the runaway was caught.
結衣 Yui

本当？どこに隠れていたの？
Hontou? Doko ni kakurete ita no?
Really? Where were they hiding?
大翔 Hiroto

隣の町にいたらしいよ。
Tonari no machi ni ita rashii yo.
Apparently, they were in the next town.
結衣 Yui

やっと解決して良かったね。
Yatto kaiketsu shite yokatta ne.
I'm glad it's finally resolved.

Sources

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