Translation guide
Expressing the act of fleeing, escaping, or avoiding a situation. Japanese has distinct words for physical flight, emotional avoidance, and metaphorical escape.
To run away from a dangerous situation, person, or location.
The most common and general verb for running away or escaping from something physically. Can be used for both literal and figurative escape.
泥棒は裏口から逃げた。
The thief ran away through the back door.
火事から逃げる。
Escape from a fire.
Formal or news-reporting term for fleeing, often used for criminals or in dramatic situations.
犯人は車で逃走した。
The suspect fled by car.
Implies absconding or going on the run, often used for fugitives or escaping from custody.
彼は刑務所から逃亡した。
He escaped from prison.
To run away from duties, problems, or uncomfortable situations, often with a negative connotation.
Also used figuratively for avoiding responsibilities or difficult situations. Often seen in phrases like 現実から逃げる (escape from reality).
彼はいつも責任から逃げている。
He is always running away from his responsibilities.
現実から逃げるな。
Don't run away from reality.
Means to avoid or evade something, often used for problems, questions, or duties. More formal than 逃げる.
彼は質問を回避した。
He evaded the question.
Literally 'to avert one's eyes', used figuratively for turning away from an unpleasant truth or reality.
To leave home or a relationship secretly, often without permission.
Specifically means to run away from home. Commonly used for teenagers or family disputes.
彼女は家出した。
She ran away from home.
Means to elope; to run away with a lover to get married secretly.
二人は駆け落ちした。
The two eloped.
To break free from physical restraint, captivity, or a trap.
Means to escape from a confined space or dangerous situation, like a prison, locked room, or disaster area.
彼は密室から脱出した。
He escaped from the locked room.
To escape or get free from something, often used for danger, pursuit, or a difficult situation. Slightly literary.
彼は追手から逃れた。
He escaped from his pursuers.
逃げる is the everyday word for running away. 逃走する is used in news reports for fleeing criminals. 逃亡する implies being on the run for an extended period, often from the law.
In sports contexts like 'running away with the game', use expressions like 大差をつける (to take a big lead) or 独走する (to run alone at the front). 逃げる would sound like fleeing the field.
He turned away from the truth.