Translation guide
The English verb "flee" means to run away from danger or a threatening situation. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is 逃げる (nigeru). However, the best choice depends on the nuance: escaping a physical threat, fleeing a country, evading responsibility, or running away from a relationship. This guide covers the main Japanese expressions organized by the intended English meaning.
To physically escape from an immediate threat, such as an attacker, fire, or dangerous situation.
The most common and general verb for fleeing or running away from danger. It is an intransitive verb.
The thief fled from the police.
A fire broke out, so everyone fled the building.
A more formal term for fleeing, often used for escaping from custody, prison, or a country. It implies a planned escape.
The prisoner fled from the prison.
Similar to 逃亡する, but often used for fleeing the scene of a crime or escaping from police pursuit. Common in news reports.
The suspect fled from the scene.
To run away suddenly or to bolt. Emphasizes the action of starting to flee.
Startled by the loud noise, the dog fled.
To leave one's home country or region because of war, disaster, or political oppression.
To escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation, often by moving away. Can be used for fleeing a country, danger, or responsibility.
Many people fled the war and escaped abroad.
To escape or break out from a confined or dangerous place. Often used for fleeing a country, a prison, or a disaster zone.
They fled the dangerous area.
To evacuate or take refuge. Used when fleeing to a safer place due to disaster or threat.
The residents fled from the tsunami.
To avoid or run away from an unpleasant duty, commitment, or emotional situation.
Also used metaphorically for avoiding responsibilities or difficult situations.
He is always fleeing from responsibility.
To escape or avoid something undesirable, such as a duty, fate, or a difficult relationship.
To evade or avoid something, often used for responsibilities, problems, or confrontations. More formal.
He fled from the difficult question (evaded it).
To run away hastily, often in a state of fear or confusion.
逃げる (nigeru) is the most common and versatile word for fleeing. It can be used for both physical and metaphorical escape. 逃れる (nogareru) often implies escaping from something undesirable by moving away or avoiding it, and is slightly more formal. 逃亡する (toubousuru) is a formal term used for escaping from custody or legal pursuit, often involving a planned escape.
While 'flee' can often be translated as 逃げる, be careful with contexts where English uses 'flee' metaphorically. For example, 'fleeing from reality' is 現実から逃げる, but 'fleeing the scene' might be 現場から逃走する in formal contexts. Always consider the nuance.
You must not flee from reality.
彼は借金から逃れようとした。
He tried to flee from his debts.
Seeing the bear, he fled as fast as he could.