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"Evitar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to avoid", and "esquivar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to dodge". Learn more about the difference between "evitar" and "esquivar" below.
evitar(
eh
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bee
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to avoid
Gira aquí a la izquierda si quieres evitar el tráfico.Turn left here if you want to avoid the traffic.
2. (to avert)
a. to prevent
Lávate las manos con frecuencia para evitar resfriarte.Wash your hands frequently to prevent colds.
b. to avoid
El accidente se habría evitado si las luces hubieran estado encendidas.The accident would have been avoided if the lights had been on.
a. to save from
Gracias por traerme estos documentos. Me evita tener que regresar a la oficina a buscarlos.Thanks for bringing these documents. It saves me from having to go back the office to get them.
b. to save
Te quería evitar la molestia de tener que venir hasta acá, pero no alcancé contactarte antes de que salieras.I wanted to save you the trouble of coming all the way out here, but I didn't catch you before you left.
evitarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to save oneself
Si sales media hora antes, te evitas el problema de la hora pico.If you leave half an hour earlier, you save yourself the problem of rush hour.
esquivar(
ehs
-
kee
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bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to dodge (a blow or projectile)
El boxeador se agachó para esquivar el golpe de su rival.The boxer ducked to dodge the blow from his rival.
Los niños esquivaron a la bruja y salieron corriendo de su casa.The children dodged the witch and ran out of her house.
b. to avoid (a person or an animal)
Traté de esquivar a un perro que se cruzó en la carretera y me estrellé contra un árbol.I tried to avoid a dog that ran out into the road, and crashed into a tree.
a. to avoid
¿Por qué esquivas mi mirada? ¿Tienes algo que ocultar?Why are you avoiding looking at me? Do you have something to hide?
b. to dodge (a question)
La actriz pasó años esquivando preguntas sobre su vida privada.The actress spent years dodging questions about her private life.
c. to sidestep (an issue)
Su respuesta a esta pregunta parece esquivar el asunto.Your response to this question seems to sidestep the issue.
a. to avoid
La empresa intentó esquivar el pago de horas extras a sus trabajadores.The company tried to avoid paying its workers overtime.
esquivarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to avoid each other
Los estudiantes iban y venían por el camino estrecho, esquivándose.Students came and went along the narrow path, avoiding each other.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to shy away from
A veces los padres se esquivan de hablar de temas importantes con sus hijos.Parents sometimes shy away from talking about important matters with their children.
