fugitivo
/foo-hee-TEE-boh/
fugitive
A fugitive running away through the city streets.
fugitivo(noun)
fugitive
?a person running from the law
runaway
?someone who has escaped or is hiding
📝 In Action
La policía capturó al fugitivo después de tres días.
B1The police captured the fugitive after three days.
El fugitivo de la justicia cruzó la frontera anoche.
B2The fugitive from justice crossed the border last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Endings
While 'fugitivo' refers to a male, you can easily talk about a female fugitive by changing the 'o' to an 'a': 'la fugitiva'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Fugitivo vs. Refugiado
Mistake: "Using 'fugitivo' to describe someone fleeing a war for safety."
Correction: Use 'refugiado' (refugee) for humanitarian situations; 'fugitivo' usually implies fleeing from a crime or the law.
⭐ Usage Tips
Natural Sounding Contexts
In Spain, you might hear the word 'prófugo' more often in legal news, whereas 'fugitivo' is very common in movies and books.
A fleeing person moving quickly through the trees.
fugitivo(adjective)
fleeing
?describing someone who is running away
fugitive
?describing a state of being on the run
📝 In Action
Lleva una vida fugitiva desde que escapó de la cárcel.
B2He has been living a life on the run since he escaped from jail.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
The word must match the person or thing it describes. If you are talking about multiple people, add an 's': 'los niños fugitivos' (the runaway children).
⭐ Usage Tips
Fugitivo vs. Fugaz
If you want to say something is 'fleeting' (like a shooting star or a quick thought), use 'fugaz' instead of 'fugitivo'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fugitivo
Question 1 of 2
Which of these people is a 'fugitivo'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'fugitivo' for a lost dog?
Not usually. For a lost or runaway pet, it's more natural to use 'escapado' or 'perdido.' 'Fugitivo' sounds very dramatic, like a criminal.
What is the difference between 'fugitivo' and 'prófugo'?
They are very similar. 'Prófugo' is more formal and used in legal contexts, while 'fugitivo' is the more common word in everyday language and entertainment.