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"Huir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to escape", and "escapar" is an intransitive verb which is also often translated as "to escape". Learn more about the difference between "huir" and "escapar" 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.
escapar(
ehs
-
kah
-
pahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to escape
Los ladrones escaparon antes de que pudiera llegar la policía.The thieves escaped before the police were able to arrive.
2. (sports)
a. to break away
El delantero escapó de la defensa y anotó el gol decisivo.The forward broke away from the defender and scored the deciding goal.
escaparse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to escape
Dos presos se escaparon de una prisión de máxima seguridad este fin de semana pasado.Two inmates escaped from a maximum security prison this past weekend.
b. to run away
Cuando tenía 12 años, me enojé tanto con mis padres que estaba planeando escaparme de casa.When I was 12 years old, I got so angry with my parents that I was planning to run away from home.
a. to leak
Cuando abres una botella de soda, puedes oír el gas escaparse de ella.When you open a bottle of soda, you can hear the gas leak out of it.
a. not to remember
Conocí a la nueva novia de mi hermano, pero ahora su nombre se me escapa.I met my brother's new girlfriend, but I can't remember her name now.
b. to forget
¿Ayer fue el cumpleaños de tu mamá? ¡Se me escapó!It was your mother's birthday yesterday? I forgot!
6. (to slip by)
a. to pass by
No dejes que se te escape esta oportunidad. La vida pocas veces da segundas oportunidades.Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Life rarely gives you second chances.
b. to miss
Tuve la oportunidad de invitarla a salir, pero se me escapó por ser demasiado tímido.I had the chance to ask her out, but I missed it because I'm too shy.
7. (to release)
a. to let out
Se me escapó una risa durante el panegírico y casi me muero de la vergüenza.I let out a laugh during the eulogy and I almost died of embarrassment.
