Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escabullirse | /eskabuˈʝiɾse/ | |
| descabullirse (disused) | ||
| escabullarse | /eskabuʝaɾse/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
| descabullarse | /deskabuʝaɾse/ (from spelling rules) | Venezuela |
The verb escabullirse means to leave quietly or unnoticed. If you want to specify the place or situation you are sneaking out of, use the preposition de after the verb, forming escabullirse de (to sneak out of).
Which one should you use?
While escabullirse is the standard form, descabullirse is a disused form. In Venezuela, the specific form descabullarse is used to mean sneaking out or escaping a situation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form escabullarse is used in Latin America, while descabullarse is specific to Venezuela.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a reflexive verb, which means you must use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) when conjugating it. For example, the third-person singular preterite form for 'he/she/it sneaked out' is se escabulló.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskabuˈʝiɾse/
Did you know?
- Spanish has several verbs for leaving quietly, but escabullirse specifically evokes the image of a small animal or insect slipping through a gap.
- The Latin verb capiō, which means to seize or take, lies at the very heart of the word 'escabullirse' through its evolution.
- While escabullirse describes the act of leaving, it can also be used figuratively to avoid a responsibility or a difficult question.
Examples in context
- Lo pillé intentando escabullirse.I caught him trying to sneak out.This sentence is useful for showing how to use escabullirse in a context of being caught.Tatoeba #1871947 by marcelostockle, translation #260134 by CK
- Ella intentó escabullirse de la fiesta.She tried to sneak out of the party.
- Es difícil escabullirse sin hacer ruido.It is difficult to sneak out without making noise.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at a boring party.
- MateoEste lugar es aburridísimo, María.This place is incredibly boring, María.
- MaríaTienes razón, Mateo. ¿Nos vamos?You're right, Mateo. Shall we leave?
- MateoSí, vamos a escabullirse por la puerta trasera.Yes, let's sneak out through the back door.
- MaríaPerfecto, hagámoslo rápido.Perfect, let's do it quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sneak out” translations and entries escabullirse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escabullirse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
