How to Say “Run Away” in Korean: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to express “run away” in Korean is essential for anyone learning the language, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student. This phrase can appear in various contexts, from everyday conversations to literature and media.

Mastering its different forms and nuances will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and understand the subtleties of the Korean language. This guide provides a detailed exploration of the various ways to say “run away” in Korean, along with examples, usage rules, and practice exercises to solidify your understanding.

This guide is beneficial for language learners of all levels aiming to improve their Korean language proficiency and cultural understanding.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “Run Away” in Korean
• Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
• Types and Categories of “Run Away” Expressions
• Examples of “Run Away” in Korean
  • Basic Expressions
  • Situational Examples
  • Idiomatic Expressions
• Usage Rules and Grammar
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of “Run Away” in Korean

The concept of “run away” in Korean can be expressed in several ways, depending on the context, nuance, and formality level. The most common and direct translation is 도망가다 (domanggada). However, other related expressions exist, each carrying a slightly different connotation. These variations allow for a more precise and nuanced expression of the idea of running away, whether it’s from a physical threat, a difficult situation, or a personal responsibility.

도망가다 (domanggada): This is the most straightforward and widely used term for “run away.” It implies a physical act of fleeing or escaping from a place or situation. It can be used in various contexts, from escaping danger to avoiding an unpleasant task.

떠나다 (tteonada): While primarily meaning “to leave,” tteonada can also convey the idea of running away, especially when implying a permanent departure from a place or relationship. It often suggests a more emotional or significant decision to leave.

피하다 (pihada): This verb means “to avoid” or “to evade.” It can be used to describe running away from a responsibility, a person, or a difficult situation without necessarily involving physical flight.

탈출하다 (talchulhada): This term specifically means “to escape,” often from a confined or dangerous situation. It’s more formal and often used in contexts involving imprisonment or perilous circumstances.

Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases

Understanding the structure of these phrases is crucial for using them correctly in sentences. Let’s break down the key components of the most common expressions for “run away.”

도망가다 (domanggada):

• 도망 (domang): This is a noun meaning “escape” or “flight.”
• 가다 (gada): This is a verb meaning “to go.”
• 도망가다 (domanggada): Combining these creates the verb “to run away.” The -다 ending is the dictionary form and is replaced with other endings to conjugate for tense and politeness.

Conjugation examples:

• 도망가요 (domanggayo): Polite present tense
• 도망갔어요 (domanggasseoyo): Polite past tense
• 도망갈 거예요 (domanggal geoyeyo): Polite future tense
• 도망가세요 (domanggaseyo): Polite imperative (Run away!)

떠나다 (tteonada):

• 떠나다 (tteonada): This is a verb meaning “to leave.”

Conjugation examples:

• 떠나요 (tteonayo): Polite present tense
• 떠났어요 (tteonasseoyo): Polite past tense
• 떠날 거예요 (tteonal geoyeyo): Polite future tense
• 떠나세요 (tteonaseyo): Polite imperative (Leave!)

피하다 (pihada):

• 피하다 (pihada): This is a verb meaning “to avoid.”

Conjugation examples:

• 피해요 (pihaeyo): Polite present tense
• 피했어요 (pihaesseoyo): Polite past tense
• 피할 거예요 (pihal geoyeyo): Polite future tense
• 피하세요 (pihaseyo): Polite imperative (Avoid!)

탈출하다 (talchulhada):

• 탈출 (talchul): This is a noun meaning “escape.”
• 하다 (hada): This is a verb meaning “to do.”
• 탈출하다 (talchulhada): Combining these creates the verb “to escape.”

Conjugation examples:

• 탈출해요 (talchulhaeyo): Polite present tense
• 탈출했어요 (talchulhaesseoyo): Polite past tense
• 탈출할 거예요 (talchulhal geoyeyo): Polite future tense
• 탈출하세요 (talchulhaseyo): Polite imperative (Escape!)

Types and Categories of “Run Away” Expressions

The ways to express “run away” in Korean can be categorized based on the context and the nuance you want to convey. Here are some key categories:

1. Physical Escape: This refers to physically running away from a place or person, often due to danger or fear. The primary expression used here is 도망가다 (domanggada) and 탈출하다 (talchulhada).
2. Emotional Departure: This involves leaving a relationship or situation due to emotional reasons, such as unhappiness or conflict. 떠나다 (tteonada) is frequently used in this context.
3. Avoidance: This describes avoiding responsibilities, tasks, or people without necessarily involving physical flight. 피하다 (pihada) is the most appropriate term here.
4. Figurative Escape: This involves escaping from reality or difficult circumstances through means other than physical flight, such as daydreaming or seeking distractions. This might involve using expressions related to 피하다 (pihada) or a creative use of 떠나다 (tteonada).

Examples of “Run Away” in Korean

To fully understand how to use these expressions, let’s look at various examples categorized by the type of “running away” they represent.

Basic Expressions

These examples demonstrate the fundamental usage of 도망가다 (domanggada), 떠나다 (tteonada), 피하다 (pihada), and 탈출하다 (talchulhada) in simple sentences.

The following table illustrates basic examples with English translations.

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation
경찰이 오니까 도망갔어요.	Gyeongchari onikka domanggasseoyo.	He ran away because the police came.
그녀는 모든 것을 떠났어요.	Geunyeoneun modeun geoseul tteonasseoyo.	She left everything behind.
나는 책임을 피하고 싶지 않아요.	Naneun chaegeimeul pihago sipji anayo.	I don’t want to avoid responsibility.
그들은 감옥에서 탈출했어요.	Geudeureun gamogeseo talchulhaesseoyo.	They escaped from prison.
강아지가 무서워서 도망갔어요.	Gangajiga museowoseo domanggasseoyo.	I ran away because I was scared of the puppy.
힘든 상황에서 떠나고 싶어요.	Himdeun sanghwangeseo tteonago sipeoyo.	I want to leave this difficult situation.
사람들의 시선을 피하려고 했어요.	Saramdeului siseoneul piharyeogo haesseoyo.	I tried to avoid people’s gaze.
화재가 나서 건물에서 탈출해야 했어요.	Hwajega naseo geonmureseo talchulhaeya haesseoyo.	Because there was a fire, I had to escape from the building.
그는 빚 때문에 도망갔어요.	Geuneun bit ttaemune domanggasseoyo.	He ran away because of debt.
그녀는 고향을 떠나기로 결심했어요.	Geunyeoneun gohyangeul tteonagiro gyeolsimhaesseoyo.	She decided to leave her hometown.
어려운 문제를 피하지 마세요.	Eoryeoun munjereul pihaji maseyo.	Don’t avoid difficult problems.
그는 위험한 상황에서 탈출하는 데 성공했어요.	Geuneun wiheomhan sanghwangeseo talchulhaneun de seonggonghaesseoyo.	He succeeded in escaping from the dangerous situation.
그는 잘못을 저지르고 도망갔어요.	Geuneun jalmoseul jeojireugo domanggasseoyo.	He committed a mistake and ran away.
모든 것을 버리고 떠나고 싶어요.	Modeun geoseul beorigo tteonago sipeoyo.	I want to abandon everything and leave.
그는 어려운 질문을 피하려고 했어요.	Geuneun eoryeoun jilmuneul piharyeogo haesseoyo.	He tried to avoid the difficult question.
그녀는 전쟁 중에 도시에서 탈출했어요.	Geunyeoneun jeonjaeng junge doesieseo talchulhaesseoyo.	She escaped from the city during the war.
그는 책임을 회피하려고 도망갔어요.	Geuneun chaegeimeul hoephiharyeogo domanggasseoyo.	He ran away to avoid responsibility.
그녀는 슬픔을 잊기 위해 떠났어요.	Geunyeoneun seulpeumeul itgi wihae tteonasseoyo.	She left to forget her sadness.
그는 항상 문제를 피하려고 해요.	Geuneun hangsang munjereul piharyeogo haeyo.	He always tries to avoid problems.
그들은 화재로부터 탈출하기 위해 노력했어요.	Geudeureun hwajaerobuteo talchulhagi wihae noryeokhaesseoyo.	They tried to escape from the fire.

Situational Examples

These examples demonstrate how to use “run away” expressions in various real-life scenarios, providing context and nuance.

The table below provides situational usage examples with English translations and context.

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation	Context
숙제를 안 해서 선생님을 보고 도망갔어요.	Sukjereul an haeseo seonsaengnimeul bogo domanggasseoyo.	I ran away after seeing the teacher because I didn’t do my homework.	Avoiding punishment.
남자친구와 싸우고 집을 떠났어요.	Namjachinguwa ssaugo jibeul tteonasseoyo.	I left home after fighting with my boyfriend.	Emotional conflict.
힘든 일을 피하려고 휴가를 냈어요.	Himdeun ireul piharyeogo hyugareul naesseoyo.	I took a vacation to avoid the difficult work.	Avoiding a task.
지진이 나서 건물에서 탈출했어요.	Jijini naseo geonmureseo talchulhaesseoyo.	I escaped from the building because of the earthquake.	Escaping danger.
무서운 개가 쫓아와서 도망갔어요.	Museoun gaega jjochawaseo domanggasseoyo.	I ran away because a scary dog was chasing me.	Fleeing from a threat.
복잡한 도시를 떠나 조용한 시골로 갔어요.	Bokjaphann dosireul tteona joyonghan sigullo gasseoyo.	I left the complicated city and went to a quiet countryside.	Seeking peace.
어려운 상황을 피하려고 거짓말을 했어요.	Eoryeoun sanghwangeul piharyeogo geojitmaleul haesseoyo.	I lied to avoid the difficult situation.	Avoiding confrontation.
화재 경보가 울려서 건물에서 탈출해야 했어요.	Hwajae gyeongboga ullyeoseo geonmureseo talchulhaeya haesseoyo.	I had to escape from the building because the fire alarm rang.	Emergency evacuation.
빚 때문에 가족을 두고 도망갔어요.	Bit ttaemune gajogeul dugo domanggasseoyo.	I ran away, leaving my family behind because of debt.	Desperate escape.
옛사랑을 잊기 위해 새로운 곳으로 떠났어요.	Yetsarangeul itgi wihae saeroun goseuro tteonasseoyo.	I left for a new place to forget my past love.	Moving on.
책임감 없는 행동을 피하려고 노력했어요.	Chaegeimgam eomneun haengdongeul piharyeogo noryeokhaesseoyo.	I tried to avoid irresponsible behavior.	Moral avoidance.
폭탄 테러 위협 때문에 건물에서 탈출했어요.	Poktan teoreo wihyeop ttaemune geonmureseo talchulhaesseoyo.	I escaped from the building because of a bomb threat.	Terrorist threat.
힘든 현실에서 도망가고 싶을 때가 많아요.	Himdeun hyeonsireseo domanggago sipeul ttaega manayo.	There are many times when I want to run away from the difficult reality.	Desire to escape.
모든 것을 포기하고 떠나고 싶다는 생각을 했어요.	Modeun geoseul pogihago tteonago siptdaneun saenggageul haesseoyo.	I had the thought that I wanted to give up everything and leave.	Feeling overwhelmed.
부정적인 사람들을 피하는 것이 중요해요.	Bujeongjeogin saramdeureul pihaneun geosi jungyohaeyo.	It’s important to avoid negative people.	Maintaining positivity.
그녀는 위험에서 탈출하는 데 필요한 모든 기술을 가지고 있었어요.	Geunyeoneun wiheomeseo talchulhaneun de pillyohan modeun giseureul gajigo isseosseoyo.	She had all the skills necessary to escape from danger.	Preparedness.
그는 압박감을 느껴서 도망가고 싶어했어요.	Geuneun apbakgameul neukkyeoseo domanggago sipeohaesseoyo.	He felt pressured and wanted to run away.	Feeling overwhelmed.
그녀는 과거의 상처를 극복하기 위해 떠났어요.	Geunyeoneun gwageoui sangcheoreul geukbokhagi wihae tteonasseoyo.	She left to overcome the wounds of the past.	Healing journey.
그는 어려운 결정을 피하려고 애썼어요.	Geuneun eoryeoun gyeoljeongeul piharyeogo aesseosseoyo.	He tried hard to avoid difficult decisions.	Avoiding responsibility.
그들은 전쟁의 공포에서 탈출하기 위해 국경을 넘었어요.	Geudeureun jeonjaengui gongporeseo talchulhagi wihae gukgyeongeul neomeosseoyo.	They crossed the border to escape the horrors of war.	Seeking refuge.

Idiomatic Expressions

While there aren’t direct idioms for “run away” using these verbs, the concepts can be expressed through other idiomatic phrases that convey a similar meaning of avoiding or escaping a situation.

The following table shows examples of idiomatic expressions related to avoiding or escaping situations, along with English translations and explanations.

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation	Explanation
눈을 감다	Nuneul gamda	To close one’s eyes	Figuratively means to ignore or turn a blind eye to something, avoiding dealing with it directly.
발을 빼다	Bareul ppaeda	To pull one’s foot out	Means to withdraw from a situation or commitment, similar to backing out or escaping.
꼬리를 감추다	Kkorireul gamchuda	To hide one’s tail	Means to disappear or hide oneself, often to avoid being caught or blamed.
얼버무리다	Eolbeomurida	To mumble or gloss over	Means to avoid directly addressing a question or issue by speaking vaguely or unclearly.
덮어두다	Deopeoduda	To cover up	Means to hide or conceal a problem or mistake, avoiding its consequences.
회피하다	Hoephihada	To evade	While not strictly an idiom, it is used to express the act of evading or dodging something, similar to 피하다.
강 건너 불구경	Gang geonneo bulgugyeong	Watching a fire across the river	Means to be indifferent to someone else’s problems, avoiding involvement or responsibility.
책임 전가하다	Chaegeim jeongahada	To pass the buck	Means to shift responsibility to someone else, avoiding taking responsibility oneself.
문제를 덮다	Munjereul deopda	To cover up a problem	Similar to 덮어두다, this means to conceal or hide a problem to avoid dealing with it.
핑계를 대다	Pinggyereul daeda	To make excuses	Means to offer justifications for avoiding a task or responsibility.
눈 가리고 아웅	Nun garigo aung	Covering your eyes and saying “aung”	Similar to “fooling oneself,” it means to try to hide something obvious, but the attempt is futile.
모르는 척하다	Moreuneun cheokhada	To pretend not to know	Means to feign ignorance to avoid getting involved or taking responsibility.
뒤로 물러서다	Dwiro mulleoseoda	To step back	Means to withdraw from a situation or decision, avoiding direct involvement.
발뺌하다	Balppaemhada	To deny involvement	Means to deny any participation or responsibility in a situation.
책임을 회피하다	Chaegeimeul hoephihada	To evade responsibility	Similar to 책임 전가하다, but emphasizes the act of dodging or avoiding accountability.
관여하지 않다	Gwanyeohaji anhda	Not to get involved	Means to stay out of a situation to avoid potential problems or responsibilities.
문제를 외면하다	Munjereul oemyeonhada	To turn away from a problem	Means to ignore or disregard a problem, avoiding dealing with it.
대충 넘어가다	Daechung neomeogada	To gloss over	Means to handle something superficially, avoiding thoroughness or seriousness.
미루다	Miruda	To postpone	Means to delay or put off a task, which can be a way of avoiding it temporarily.
손을 떼다	Soneul tteda	To let go of (something)	Means to disengage from a task or project, effectively avoiding further involvement.

Usage Rules and Grammar

When using these expressions, it’s important to consider the proper grammatical structure and context. Here are some key usage rules:

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb conjugates correctly to match the subject of the sentence. For example, if the subject is singular and in the past tense, the verb should be conjugated accordingly.
• Particle Usage: Use appropriate particles to indicate the object or place from which someone is running away. Common particles include -에서 (-eseo) for “from” a place and -을/를 (-eul/reul) for “the thing” being avoided.
• Tense: Choose the correct tense to accurately convey when the action of running away occurred, is occurring, or will occur.
• Politeness Level: Adjust the verb ending to match the desired level of politeness. Use -요 (-yo) for polite speech and -니다/습니다 (-nida/seumnida) for formal speech.

Example of correct particle usage:

• Correct: 그는 학교에서 도망갔어요. (Geuneun hakgyoeseo domanggasseoyo.) – He ran away from school.
• Incorrect: 그는 학교을 도망갔어요.

Example of correct tense usage:

• Correct: 그녀는 지금 도망가고 있어요. (Geunyeoneun jigeum domanggago isseoyo.) – She is running away right now.
• Incorrect: 그녀는 지금 도망갔어요.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes learners make when using “run away” expressions and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
나는 떠나.	나는 떠나요.	Adding the polite ending -요 makes the sentence more socially acceptable.
그는 책임을 피한다.	그는 책임을 피해요.	The -요 ending is necessary for polite conversation.
경찰이 오니까 도망한다.	경찰이 오니까 도망갔어요.	Using the past tense 도망갔어요 is appropriate because the action happened in the past.
학교에서 탈출.	학교에서 탈출했어요.	탈출 needs to be conjugated into a verb form.
나는 무서워서 도망가.	나는 무서워서 도망갔어요.	The past tense is needed to indicate the running happened because of the fear.
그녀는 슬픔을 떠나.	그녀는 슬픔을 잊기 위해 떠났어요.	“떠나다” needs context; “to forget her sadness” clarifies the reason for leaving.
피해 숙제.	숙제를 피해요.	The verb needs to be conjugated and the object made clear.
감옥 탈출.	감옥에서 탈출했어요.	Adding “에서” specifies escaping *from* prison, and the verb needs conjugation.
비 도망.	비를 피해서 도망갔어요.	Needs full sentence structure; “avoiding the rain, I ran away.”
그녀 떠나 지금.	그녀는 지금 떠나고 있어요.	Correct word order and verb conjugation for “She is leaving now.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Korean using the appropriate “run away” expression.

Question	Answer
1. He ran away from the dog.	그는 개에게서 도망갔어요. (Geuneun gaeegeseo domanggasseoyo.)
2. She left her job.	그녀는 직장을 떠났어요. (Geunyeoneun jikjangeul tteonasseoyo.)
3. I want to avoid the meeting.	나는 회의를 피하고 싶어요. (Naneun hoeireul pihago sipeoyo.)
4. They escaped from the burning building.	그들은 불타는 건물에서 탈출했어요. (Geudeureun bultaneun geonmureseo talchulhaesseoyo.)
5. He ran away from his responsibilities.	그는 그의 책임을 회피하려고 도망갔어요. (Geuneun geuui chaegeimeul hoephiharyeogo domanggasseoyo.)
6. She left to find a new life.	그녀는 새로운 삶을 찾기 위해 떠났어요. (Geunyeoneun saeroun salmeul chatgi wihae tteonasseoyo.)
7. We should avoid unnecessary conflicts.	우리는 불필요한 갈등을 피해야 해요. (Urineun bulpilryohan galdeungeul pihaeya haeyo.)
8. The prisoners escaped from the prison.	죄수들은 감옥에서 탈출했어요. (Joesudeureun gamogeseo talchulhaesseoyo.)
9. He ran away because he was scared.	그는 무서워서 도망갔어요. (Geuneun museowoseo domanggasseoyo.)
10. She left the country to start over.	그녀는 다시 시작하기 위해 나라를 떠났어요. (Geunyeoneun dasi sijakhagi wihae narareul tteonasseoyo.)
11. They tried to avoid the difficult questions.	그들은 어려운 질문들을 피하려고 노력했어요. (Geudeureun eoryeoun jilmundeureul piharyeogo noryeokhaesseoyo.)
12. The cat escaped from the house.	고양이는 집에서 탈출했어요. (Goyangeeneun jibeseo talchulhaesseoyo.)
13. He ran away from the fight.	그는 싸움에서 도망갔어요. (Geuneun ssaumeseo domanggasseoyo.)
14. She left her old life behind.	그녀는 그녀의 예전 삶을 뒤로하고 떠났어요. (Geunyeoneun geunyeoui yejeon salmeul dwirohago tteonasseoyo.)
15. He tried to avoid the problem.	그는 문제를 피하려고 노력했어요. (Geuneun munjereul piharyeogo noryeokhaesseoyo.)
16. The bird escaped from its cage.	새는 우리에서 탈출했어요. (Sae neun urieseo talchulhaesseoyo.)
17. He ran away from the loud noise.	그는 시끄러운 소리에서 도망갔어요. (Geuneun sikkeureoun sorieseo domanggasseoyo.)
18. She left her past behind.	그녀는 그녀의 과거를 뒤로하고 떠났어요. (Geunyeoneun geunyeoui gwageoreul dwirohago tteonasseoyo.)
19. He wants to avoid the truth.	그는 진실을 피하고 싶어해요. (Geuneun jinsireul pihago sipeohaeyo.)
20. The actors escaped from the stage after the performance.	배우들은 공연 후에 무대에서 탈출했어요. (Baeudeureun gongyeon hue mudaeeseo talchulhaesseoyo.)

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring nuanced ways to express “run away” can add depth to your Korean proficiency. This includes understanding how cultural context influences the choice of words and exploring literary or idiomatic expressions that capture the essence of escaping or avoiding situations.

One advanced concept involves using more descriptive verbs or adjectives to modify the act of running away. For instance, you could use phrases that indicate *how* someone ran away (e.g., quickly, stealthily, desperately) or *why* they ran away (e.g., out of fear, out of shame, out of anger).

Another advanced area involves understanding the cultural implications of running away. In some contexts, running away might be seen as cowardly or irresponsible, while in others, it might be seen as a necessary act of self-preservation.

Understanding these cultural nuances can help you use these expressions more appropriately and sensitively.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the most common way to say “run away” in Korean?

   The most common and direct translation is 도망가다 (domanggada). It’s widely understood and can be used in various contexts.

2. How do I differentiate between 도망가다 and 떠나다?

   도망가다 (domanggada) implies a physical act of fleeing or escaping, often from danger or an unpleasant situation. 떠나다

   (tteonada), on the other hand, means “to leave” and suggests a more general departure, which can be physical or emotional. 떠나다 doesn’t necessarily imply fear or danger.

3. When should I use 피하다?

   피하다 (pihada) is used when you want to express the act of avoiding something, whether it’s a responsibility, a person, or a task. It doesn’t always involve physical flight.

4. Is 탈출하다 only used for escaping from prison?

   No, 탈출하다 (talchulhada) can be used in any situation where someone is escaping from a confined or dangerous situation, such as a burning building or a hostage situation.

5. How do I say “run away from home” in Korean?

   You can say 집에서 도망가다 (jibeseo domanggada), which literally translates to “run away from home.” Another option is 가출하다 (gachulhada), which specifically means “to run away from home.”

6. Can I use 도망가다 in a metaphorical sense?

   While 도망가다 primarily refers to physical flight, it can also be used metaphorically to describe avoiding a difficult situation or responsibility, although 피하다 might be a more appropriate choice in such cases.

7. How do I make these phrases more polite?

   To make these phrases more polite, add the -요 (-yo) ending to the verb. For example, 도망가다 becomes 도망가요 (domanggayo).

8. What’s the difference between 회피하다 and 피하다?

   While both mean to avoid, 회피하다 (hoephihada) often implies a more deliberate or strategic act of evasion, whereas 피하다 (pihada) can be a more general or instinctive response.

9. Are there any slang terms for “run away” in Korean?

   While there aren’t specific slang terms that directly translate to “run away,” some slang expressions might be used to describe avoiding or escaping situations. These can vary depending on current trends and social context.

10. How can I practice using these expressions?

    You can practice by creating your own sentences, translating English sentences into Korean, and engaging in conversations with native Korean speakers. Watching Korean dramas and movies can also help you see these expressions used in context.

Conclusion

Mastering the various ways to say “run away” in Korean requires understanding the nuances of each expression and practicing their usage in different contexts. By learning the basic phrases like 도망가다, 떠나다, 피하다, and 탈출하다, and by understanding their structural breakdown and usage rules, you can effectively communicate the idea of running away in a variety of situations.

Remember to pay attention to politeness levels, common mistakes, and cultural implications to enhance your fluency and accuracy. With consistent practice and a keen ear for how native speakers use these expressions, you’ll be well-equipped to express the concept of “run away” with confidence and precision in Korean.