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refugiar

reh-foo-HYAHR/refuˈxjaɾ/

to shelter, to give refuge

Also: to house
VerbB1regular ar
A kind person holding a large umbrella over a small, shivering kitten in the rain.
gerundrefugiando
past Participlerefugiado
infinitiverefugiar

📝 In Action

El centro decidió refugiar a los perros abandonados durante el invierno.

A2

The center decided to shelter the abandoned dogs during the winter.

Muchos países aceptaron refugiar a las familias que huían del conflicto.

B1

Many countries agreed to give refuge to the families fleeing the conflict.

Este museo se encarga de refugiar obras de arte en peligro.

B2

This museum is in charge of housing artworks in danger.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • refugiar a alguien – to give someone shelter
  • refugiar animales – to shelter animals

to take shelter, to take refuge

Also: to retreat
VerbB1regular (reflexive/pronominal) ar
A small rabbit sitting safely inside a hollow wooden log while it rains outside.
gerundrefugiándose
past Participlerefugiado
infinitiverefugiarse

📝 In Action

Tuvimos que refugiarnos en un café porque empezó a llover.

A2

We had to take shelter in a cafe because it started to rain.

Después de un largo día, me refugio en mi habitación a leer.

B1

After a long day, I take refuge in my room to read.

El escalador se refugió en una cueva durante la ventisca.

B2

The climber took shelter in a cave during the blizzard.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • guarecerse (to take cover/shelter)
  • resguardarse (to shield oneself)

Antonyms

  • exponerse (to expose oneself)

Common Collocations

  • refugiarse en la bebida – to take refuge in drink (figurative)
  • refugiarse de la lluvia – to take shelter from the rain

Idioms & Expressions

  • refugiarse en sus pensamientos – to retreat into one's own mind or thoughts

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrefugiaran
yorefugiara
túrefugiaras
vosotrosrefugiarais
nosotrosrefugiáramos
él/ella/ustedrefugiara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrefugien
yorefugie
túrefugies
vosotrosrefugiéis
nosotrosrefugiemos
él/ella/ustedrefugie

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesrefugiaron
yorefugié
túrefugiaste
vosotrosrefugiasteis
nosotrosrefugiamos
él/ella/ustedrefugió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrefugiaban
yorefugiaba
túrefugiabas
vosotrosrefugiabais
nosotrosrefugiábamos
él/ella/ustedrefugiaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrefugian
yorefugio
túrefugias
vosotrosrefugiáis
nosotrosrefugiamos
él/ella/ustedrefugia
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "refugiar" in Spanish:

to house→to retreat→to shelter→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: refugiar

Question 1 of 3

If you want to say 'I am taking shelter from the rain,' which form is correct?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'refugiare', coming from 're-' (back) and 'fugere' (to flee). It literally means to flee back to a place of safety.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: refugeFrench: réfugier

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'refugiar' and 'esconder'?

While both involve going somewhere out of sight, 'refugiar' implies seeking safety or protection, whereas 'esconder' simply means to hide.

Is 'refugiar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.

Can 'refugiarse' be used for emotions?

Absolutely! It is very common to 'refugiarse' in books, music, or work to avoid dealing with stress or problems.