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How to Say "get away" in Spanish

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aléjate

Verb (Command Form)A2Informal
Use this informal command when telling ONE person to move to a distance from you or something.

Examples

¡Aléjate de mí! ¡No te acerques!

Get away from me! Don't come near!

aléjense

VerbA2Formal/Informal
Use this when telling a GROUP of people to move to a distance.

Examples

¡Aléjense de las vías del tren!

Get away from the train tracks!

escapar

/es-kah-PAHR//es.kaˈpaɾ/

VerbA2/B1Neutral
Use this when someone or something successfully leaves a place or situation, or when an opportunity is missed.
A small rabbit is depicted mid-jump, successfully clearing a low stone wall, moving from a confined area towards a bright, open green field, symbolizing escape.

Examples

El ladrón logró escapar de la policía después de la persecución.

The thief managed to escape from the police after the chase.

Necesitamos escapar de la rutina por un fin de semana.

We need to get away from the routine for a weekend.

El gato siempre escapa por la ventana abierta.

The cat always escapes through the open window.

La oportunidad de viajar se me escapó por no comprar los billetes a tiempo.

The opportunity to travel slipped away because I didn't buy the tickets on time.

Using 'de' for Origin

When saying what place or thing you escape from, always use the preposition 'de': 'escapar de la casa' (to escape from the house).

Using 'Escaparse' Reflexively

To express that you accidentally forgot or missed something, use the reflexive form 'escaparse' (like 'olvidarse'). You say se me escapó (it escaped to me), not yo escapé.

Missing the Preposition

Mistake: “Quiero escapar el trabajo.”

Correction: Quiero escapar del trabajo. (The 'de' is essential when naming the source of the escape.)

Forgetting the Indirect Object

Mistake: “La oportunidad escapó.”

Correction: La oportunidad se me escapó. (When meaning 'slipped away from me,' you must use the reflexive pronoun 'se' and the indirect object pronoun 'me.')

Command vs. Escape

Learners often confuse the command forms 'aléjate/aléjense' with 'escapar'. Remember that 'aléjate/aléjense' are commands to move away, while 'escapar' means to successfully leave or get out of a situation.

Related Translations

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