How to Say "to evade" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to evade” is “evitar” — use this versatile verb to describe skillfully escaping or preventing something, often physical, like traffic or an unpleasant encounter.
evitar
eh-vee-TAReβiˈtaɾ
Examples
Ella siempre intenta evitar el tráfico de la mañana.
She always tries to avoid the morning traffic.
Debemos evitar comer demasiada comida rápida.
We should avoid eating too much fast food.
El doctor nos dijo que evitáramos el estrés para estar saludables.
The doctor told us to prevent stress in order to be healthy.
Evitar + Infinitive
When you avoid doing an action, 'evitar' is always followed immediately by the base form of the second verb (the infinitive), without any prepositions like 'de' or 'a'. Example: 'Evito hablar' (I avoid talking).
Incorrect use of 'de'
Mistake: “Evitamos de ir al centro.”
Correction: Evitamos ir al centro. ('Evitar' does not need 'de' before the next verb.)
esquivar
es-kee-BAReskiˈβaɾ
Examples
Ella siempre intenta esquivar mis preguntas sobre su pasado.
She always tries to evade my questions about her past.
Juan esquivó su mirada cuando lo vi en la calle.
Juan avoided eye contact (evaded her gaze) when I saw him in the street.
No puedes esquivar tus obligaciones para siempre.
You cannot dodge your obligations forever.
Personal 'a'
When you use this verb to say you are avoiding a specific person, remember to add 'a' before the person's name: 'Esquivé a María'.
burlar
boor-LAHRbuɾˈlaɾ
Examples
El ladrón logró burlar la seguridad del museo.
The thief managed to evade the museum's security.
Intentó burlar el control de velocidad en la carretera.
He tried to bypass the speed control on the highway.
Burlar el destino no es tan fácil como parece.
Outwitting destiny is not as easy as it seems.
Using Burlar with Objects
When you use this word to mean 'evade' or 'dodge,' you usually follow it directly with the thing or person you are avoiding (e.g., 'burlar la seguridad').
Action vs. State
This word describes the action of successfully getting past something, not just the intention of trying.
Confusing with Evitar
Mistake: “Usé el puente para burlar el tráfico.”
Correction: Usé el puente para evitar el tráfico. Use 'evitar' for simply avoiding something; use 'burlar' when you are cleverly outsmarting a system or barrier.
evadir
eh-bah-DEEReβaˈðiɾ
Examples
El político intentó evadir la pregunta sobre el presupuesto.
The politician tried to dodge the question about the budget.
Muchos ciudadanos buscan formas de evadir impuestos.
Many citizens look for ways to evade taxes.
No puedes evadir tus responsabilidades familiares.
You cannot shirk your family responsibilities.
Using 'evadir' with Objects
This verb acts directly on the thing you are avoiding. You don't need a preposition like 'of' or 'from' in most cases: 'Evadir el problema' (Evade the problem).
Evadir vs. Evitar
Mistake: “Using 'evadir' for simple physical avoidance like 'I avoided the cat'.”
Correction: Use 'evitar' for general avoidance and 'evadir' for dodging something that is chasing you or that you are legally required to do.
eludir
eh-loo-DEEReluˈðiɾ
Examples
Intentó eludir la pregunta cambiando de tema rápidamente.
He tried to avoid the question by quickly changing the subject.
No puedes eludir tus responsabilidades para siempre.
You cannot evade your responsibilities forever.
Eludió la mirada de su madre porque se sentía culpable.
He avoided his mother's gaze because he felt guilty.
Direct Action
You don't need a preposition like 'of' or 'from' after eludir. Just put the thing you are avoiding right after the verb.
A Step Up from Evitar
While 'evitar' is the general word for 'avoid,' use 'eludir' when someone is being clever or sneaky to get out of something they should be doing.
Sounds like 'Aludir'
Mistake: “Using 'eludir' when you want to say someone mentioned something.”
Correction: Use 'aludir' to mention/refer to something; use 'eludir' to run away from something.
escabullirse
es-kah-boo-YEER-seheskabuˈʝirse
Examples
Siempre intenta escabullirse de sus obligaciones domésticas.
He always tries to duck out of his household chores.
El político se escabulló de la pregunta directa.
The politician evaded the direct question.
Metaphorical Slipping
Just like physically slipping away, this figurative use implies you are 'slippery' and hard to catch when there is work or a hard question involved.
defraudar
deh-frou-DAHRdefɾauˈðaɾ
Examples
Fue acusado de defraudar a la hacienda pública.
He was accused of defrauding the public treasury (tax evasion).
La empresa defraudó millones de euros a sus inversores.
The company defrauded its investors of millions of euros.
No intentes defraudar al sistema; te atraparán.
Don't try to cheat the system; you'll get caught.
Defraudar vs. Robar
While both involve taking money, 'defraudar' implies trickery, paperwork, or deceit, whereas 'robar' is the general word for stealing (like taking a wallet).
Spelling the 'au' sound
Mistake: “Spelling it as 'defruadar'.”
Correction: Remember the 'au' sequence: d-e-f-r-a-u-d-a-r. It sounds like the 'ou' in the English word 'found'.
Evitar vs. Esquivar vs. Evadir
Related Translations
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