Translation guide
The English word 'runaway' can be a noun, adjective, or verb phrase. This guide covers the most common meanings: a person who has run away, an escaped animal or vehicle, an overwhelming victory, and the phrasal verb 'run away'. It does not cover every possible Japanese translation, only those useful to an English-speaking learner.
Referring to a person, especially a child or teenager, who has left home without permission.
A neutral term for a person who has run away from home. Commonly used in news and formal contexts.
The police took the runaway into protective custody.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who ran away from home'. Slightly less formal than 家出人.
We are looking for the runaway.
Specifically a runaway boy or male teenager.
The runaway boy was sleeping at the station.
Specifically a runaway girl or female teenager.
The runaway girl was taken into custody.
Describing an animal that has escaped or a vehicle that is moving without control.
Used as a modifier before the noun, e.g., 逃げ出した馬 (runaway horse). This pattern works for animals and sometimes vehicles.
There was a runaway dog in the park.
Literally 'running wild', used for vehicles (cars, trains) that are out of control. Can also refer to reckless driving.
Used for animals that have escaped from captivity, like zoo animals. Implies breaking free from confinement.
The runaway monkey was caught.
Describing a competition or election where one side wins by a huge margin.
The action of fleeing or escaping from a place or situation.
The most common verb for 'to run away' or 'to escape'. Intransitive.
The thief ran away.
To run away, often with a nuance of suddenly leaving a place or situation. Intransitive.
Specifically 'to run away from home'. A suru-verb.
She ran away from home when she was 16.
To flee, to escape, often used for criminals or in formal contexts. A suru-verb.
The criminal ran away abroad.
The loanword ランナウェイ is sometimes used in fashion or product names, but it is not natural for referring to a person who has run away. Use 家出人 or 家出した人 instead.
逃げる is the general verb for escaping. 逃げ出す emphasizes the act of leaving a place or situation, often suddenly. For 'run away from home', 家出する is the specific term.
The police are searching for the runaway.
A runaway horse caused a commotion in the street.
The team won in a runaway victory.
暴走車が歩道に突っ込んだ。
A runaway car crashed onto the sidewalk.
彼は選挙で独走している。
He is a runaway leader in the election.
彼は怖くなって逃げ出した。
He got scared and ran away.