fuga
/FOO-gah/
escape
The word fuga can mean an 'escape' from confinement.
fuga(noun)
escape
?act of escaping confinement
,flight
?running away rapidly
breakout
?from prison
,getaway
?quick departure
📝 In Action
La policía frustró la fuga de los ladrones por el tejado.
B1The police thwarted the thieves' escape across the roof.
El perro aprovechó la puerta abierta para darse a la fuga.
A2The dog took advantage of the open door to make its getaway (flee).
Hubo una fuga masiva de presos de la cárcel anoche.
B2There was a massive breakout of prisoners from the jail last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Darse a la Fuga'
This fixed phrase means 'to run away quickly.' It uses the verb 'dar' (to give) in a reflexive way, showing the action is focused on the subject.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Fuga' and 'Escapada'
Mistake: "Using 'fuga' for a short, planned trip or vacation."
Correction: Use 'escapada' for a weekend trip or brief vacation. 'Fuga' implies running away from danger or confinement.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
In legal or journalistic contexts, 'fuga' is the standard formal term for an escape or flight from justice.
A common meaning of fuga is a 'leak' of water, gas, or air.
fuga(noun)
leak
?of water, gas, or air
,leakage
?general loss of substance
short circuit
?electrical fault (less common, usually 'cortocircuito')
📝 In Action
Llamamos al fontanero porque había una fuga de agua en el baño.
A2We called the plumber because there was a water leak in the bathroom.
La fuga de gas era tan pequeña que apenas se podía oler.
B1The gas leak was so small it could barely be smelled.
El contador registró una fuga eléctrica en la casa.
B2The meter registered an electrical leakage in the house.
💡 Grammar Points
Verbs for Leaks
To describe the action of leaking, use the verb 'escaparse' (to escape/leak out) or 'gotear' (to drip) more often than the less common verb 'fugar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
False Cognate Alert
Mistake: "Thinking 'fuga' means 'fog' (English)."
Correction: The Spanish word for 'fog' or 'mist' is 'niebla'. Remember 'fuga' means 'escape' or 'leak'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Safety First
When referring to dangerous leaks (like gas), always use 'fuga de gas' to be clear and formal.
Fuga can refer to 'flight,' meaning rapid movement away, such as capital or talent.
fuga(noun)
flight
?rapid movement away (e.g., capital, talent)
brain drain
?loss of skilled people ('fuga de cerebros')
,capital flight
?money moving out of a country ('fuga de capitales')
📝 In Action
El gobierno está preocupado por la fuga de capitales hacia el extranjero.
C1The government is worried about the flight of capital abroad.
La fuga de cerebros es un problema serio para la innovación tecnológica.
B2The brain drain is a serious problem for technological innovation.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this context, 'fuga' is used metaphorically to describe something valuable (like money or intelligence) leaving rapidly, similar to how water leaks out.
⭐ Usage Tips
Always Plural for Money
When talking about money leaving a country, always use the plural: 'fuga de capitales' (flight of capitals).
In music, fuga is the Spanish term for a 'fugue,' a complex composition.
📝 In Action
La fuga es la forma más compleja de contrapunto musical.
C1The fugue is the most complex form of musical counterpoint.
💡 Grammar Points
The Musical Connection
The name 'fugue' comes from the same root as 'escape' because the musical themes seem to 'flee' and chase each other throughout the piece.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fuga
Question 1 of 3
¿Cuál es el mejor sinónimo de 'fuga' cuando hablamos de un prisionero?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'fuga' always negative?
Generally, yes. 'Fuga' implies an unplanned, rapid, or undesirable loss or departure, whether it's prisoners escaping, gas leaking, or money leaving the economy. The only neutral use is the musical term 'fuga' (fugue).
How is 'fuga' different from 'escapada'?
'Fuga' is serious and implies running away from something negative (jail, danger, containment). 'Escapada' means a 'getaway' or 'break' and is used for short, pleasant trips or vacations.