How to Say "runaway" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “runaway” is “escapado” — use 'escapado' when describing an animal, object, or situation that has gotten away or escaped from its owner or a specific place..
escapado
es-kah-PAH-doh/eskaˈpaðo/
Examples
El perro escapado regresó a casa después de dos días.
The escaped dog returned home after two days.
Atraparon al prisionero escapado cerca de la frontera.
They caught the runaway prisoner near the border.
Tenemos que encontrar la tortuga escapada.
We have to find the escaped turtle.
Agreement is Key
Since 'escapado' is an adjective here, it must always match the gender and number of the person or thing it describes: 'escapada' (f, singular), 'escapados' (m, plural), 'escapadas' (f, plural).
Forgetting the 'Ser' or 'Estar'
Mistake: “El prisionero escapado.”
Correction: El prisionero está escapado (The prisoner is currently escaped) or El prisionero fue atrapado (The escaped prisoner was caught). You usually need a verb like 'to be' (ser/estar) when using it as a description.
fugitivo
/foo-hee-TEE-boh//fu.xi.ˈti.βo/
Examples
La policía capturó al fugitivo después de tres días.
The police captured the fugitive after three days.
El fugitivo de la justicia cruzó la frontera anoche.
The fugitive from justice crossed the border last night.
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'.
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.
Escapado vs. Fugitivo
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