How to Say "flight" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “flight” is “vuelo” — use 'vuelo' when referring to air travel, like a plane journey, or the physical act of a bird or object flying..
vuelo
/bwéh-loh//ˈbwelɔ/
Examples
Nuestro vuelo a Chile sale a las diez de la noche.
Our flight to Chile leaves at ten o'clock tonight.
¿Perdiste el vuelo? ¡Qué lástima!
Did you miss the flight? What a shame!
Compré un vuelo directo para evitar las escalas.
I bought a direct flight to avoid layovers.
El águila tomó el vuelo y se perdió en el cielo azul.
The eagle took flight and disappeared into the blue sky.
Figurative Use
In its figurative sense, 'vuelo' is often paired with abstract nouns like 'imaginación' or 'creatividad' to mean 'scope' or 'freedom'.
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: “Using 'volar' when you mean the noun 'vuelo'.”
Correction: 'Volar' means 'to fly' (the action), while 'vuelo' is the ticketed trip itself. Correct: 'El vuelo es mañana.' (The flight is tomorrow.)
fuga
FOO-gah/ˈfu.ɣa/
Examples
La policía frustró la fuga de los ladrones por el tejado.
The police thwarted the thieves' escape across the roof.
El perro aprovechó la puerta abierta para darse a la fuga.
The dog took advantage of the open door to make its getaway (flee).
Hubo una fuga masiva de presos de la cárcel anoche.
There was a massive breakout of prisoners from the jail last night.
El gobierno está preocupado por la fuga de capitales hacia el extranjero.
The government is worried about the flight of capital abroad.
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.
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.
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.
escape
/es-KAH-peh//esˈka.pe/
Examples
El plan de escape del prisionero falló en el último momento.
The prisoner's escape plan failed at the last minute.
Necesito un escape de la rutina, aunque sea solo un fin de semana.
I need a break (an escape) from routine, even if it's just for a weekend.
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-e,' remember that 'escape' is always masculine: 'el escape' or 'un escape'.
Vuelo vs. Fuga/Escape
Related Translations
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