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.
The thief ran away through the back door.
Formal or news-reporting term for fleeing, often used for criminals or in dramatic situations.
The suspect fled by car.
Implies absconding or going on the run, often used for fugitives or escaping from custody.
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).
To leave home or a relationship secretly, often without permission.
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.
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.
Escape from a fire.
He is always running away from his responsibilities.
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.
He evaded the question.
Literally 'to avert one's eyes', used figuratively for turning away from an unpleasant truth or reality.
He turned away from the truth.
She ran away from home.
Means to elope; to run away with a lover to get married secretly.
The two eloped.
He escaped from the locked room.
To escape or get free from something, often used for danger, pursuit, or a difficult situation. Slightly literary.
He escaped from his pursuers.