escapar
“escapar” means “escape” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
escape, flee
Also: break out, get away
📝 In Action
El ladrón logró escapar de la policía después de la persecución.
A2The thief managed to escape from the police after the chase.
Necesitamos escapar de la rutina por un fin de semana.
B1We need to get away from the routine for a weekend.
El gato siempre escapa por la ventana abierta.
A1The cat always escapes through the open window.
slip one's mind, miss
Also: get away, go unnoticed
📝 In Action
La oportunidad de viajar se me escapó por no comprar los billetes a tiempo.
B1The opportunity to travel slipped away because I didn't buy the tickets on time.
¿Qué dijiste? Se me escapó la palabra.
B2What did you say? I missed that word.
Se nos escapó el nombre del actor.
B1The actor's name slipped our mind (We forgot the actor's name).
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: escapar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'escapar' in the figurative sense of 'missing something'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Late Latin verb *ex-cappare*, which literally meant 'to get out of a cloak or cape.' Over time, this idea of slipping out of clothes or confinement evolved into the general meaning of getting away or fleeing.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 'escapar' versus 'huir'?
'Escapar' generally emphasizes the *success* of getting away (breaking free), while 'huir' emphasizes the *act* of running away or fleeing, often from fear or danger. 'Escapar' can also be used figuratively for minor things (like forgetting a word), but 'huir' is strictly for physical flight.