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"Huir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to escape", and "alcanzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to reach". Learn more about the difference between "huir" and "alcanzar" below.
huir(
weer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to leave)
a. to escape (from a person or place)
Cuatro presos huyeron de la cárcel el domingo por la tarde.Four inmates escaped from the prison on Sunday afternoon.
El hada trató de huir, pero el brujo la agarró por las alas.The fairy tried to escape, but the wizard grabbed her by the wings.
b. to flee (from danger or pursuit)
Muchos migrantes huyeron del país por temor a la persecución.Many migrants fled the country due to fear of persecution.
c. to run away
Nuestro perro huyó de casa anoche y todavía no lo hemos encontrado.Our dog ran away from home last night and we still haven't found him.
a. to avoid
Ella huye de los refrescos desde que le dijeron que tiene un alto riesgo de contraer diabetes.She's been avoiding soda since she was told that she has a high risk of developing diabetes.
alcanzar(
ahl
-
kahn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to get to)
c. to catch up with
Los alcancé justo antes de que se fueran.I caught up with them just before they left.
2. (to rise to)
a. to reach
La temperatura alcanzó los 42ºC el fin de semana.The temperature reached 42ºC over the weekend.
a. to achieve
No alcanzaron la meta que se habían propuesto.They didn't achieve the goal they had set themselves.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be enough
No alcanzan los fondos para seguir apoyando el proyecto.There isn't enough funding to continue supporting the project.
