Meaning
The kanji 逃 (tō, nigeru) primarily conveys the meaning of to escape, to flee, to run away, or to evade. It can also mean to let something escape or to miss a chance. This kanji is essential for expressing actions related to avoidance, flight, or missing an opportunity in Japanese.
Its visual structure offers a fascinating look into its meaning. The radical on the left side, 辶 (しんにょう - shinnyō), is known as the 'road' or 'movement' radical. It consistently indicates some form of locomotion, progression, or movement, directly linking to the idea of running away or changing location.
The phonetic component on the right, 兆 (ちょう - chō), means 'sign' or 'omen'. While primarily a phonetic element, one can imagine seeing a 'sign' or 'omen' of danger that prompts swift 'movement' and 'escape'. Some interpretations also see 兆 as representing a person with legs running, further reinforcing the concept of flight.
With a total of 9 strokes, 逃 is a moderately intricate kanji. It is classified under the JLPT N2 level, making it a commonly encountered and important character in intermediate to advanced Japanese. You'll often see it when discussing situations involving escape, evasion, or critical missed opportunities.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 逃 is トウ (TŌ). This reading is typically used when 逃 forms part of a compound word. These compounds often appear in more formal or technical contexts, describing various forms of escape or evasion, emphasizing the concept of flight or escape as a planned action or a state.
逃亡 (tōbō) — escape, flight. This refers to the act of fleeing from a place or situation, often from the law or danger. Example: 犯人は国外へ逃亡した。(The criminal fled abroad to escape.)
逃走 (tōsō) — flight, escape. Similar to 逃亡, but often implies a more immediate or active running away. Example: 警察が来ると、彼らは車で逃走した。(When the police came, they escaped by car.)
逃避 (tōhi) — escape, evasion. This often implies escaping from reality, responsibility, or an unpleasant situation. Example: 現実からの逃避は解決策にはならない。(Escaping from reality is not a solution.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings for 逃 are used when the kanji stands alone or is part of native Japanese vocabulary. These readings often capture the more common, everyday expressions of escape and evasion, often distinguishing between transitive and intransitive actions.
逃げる (nigeru) — to run away, to escape, to flee (intransitive). This is one of the most common verbs for physical escape. Example: 犬が柵を越えて逃げた。(The dog jumped over the fence and ran away.)
逃がす (nigasu) — to let (someone/something) escape, to set free (transitive). This means to actively allow someone or something to get away. Example: 釣れた魚を海に逃がした。(I let the fish I caught go back into the sea.)
逃す (nogasu) — to miss (a chance), to let slip (transitive). This reading specifically refers to missing an opportunity or failing to grasp something. Example: 絶好のチャンスを逃してしまった。(I missed a golden opportunity.)
逃れる (nogareru) — to escape from, to evade (intransitive). This often implies escaping from danger, responsibility, or a difficult situation, sometimes with a nuance of narrow avoidance. Example: 彼は危険から間一髪で逃れた。(He narrowly escaped from danger.)
Common Words & Compounds
Here are more common words and compounds using 逃, categorized by their nuanced meanings:
Actions of Flight & Escape:
逃げ出す (nigedasu) — to start running away, to flee from a place. This emphasizes the initiation of the flight, such as 火事から逃げ出す (to flee from a fire).
逃げ足 (nigeashi) — the speed of one's escape, swiftness in fleeing. Often used to describe someone who runs away quickly, e.g., 彼は逃げ足が速い (He's quick to flee).
逃げ回る (nigemawaru) — to run around trying to escape, to dodge. Implies continuous movement to avoid capture, like a child trying to avoid being caught in a game.
逃亡者 (tōbōsha) — a fugitive, an escaped person. A noun referring to someone who has fled, e.g., 指名手配されている逃亡者 (a wanted fugitive).
Evasion & Avoidance:
逃げ道 (nigemichi) — an escape route, a way out (literal or metaphorical). A path to escape a difficult situation, like 窮地からの逃げ道 (a way out of a predicament).
逃げ腰 (nigegoshi) — ready to run away, hesitant, not daring to confront. Describes a person's posture or attitude when avoiding a challenge, e.g., 仕事に対して逃げ腰になる (to be hesitant about work).
逃避行 (tōhikō) — an elopement, a journey to escape from reality or problems. Often romanticized or dramatic, like a couple running away together.
退避 (taihi) — evacuation, retreat. This compound uses 退 (retreat) and 避 (avoid) and emphasizes moving away to avoid danger, closely related to 逃. For instance, 緊急退避 (emergency evacuation).
Missing Opportunities:
見逃す (minogasu) — to overlook, to miss seeing (something). Transitive. To let something pass by unnoticed, like 重要な情報を見逃す (to overlook important information).
聞き逃す (kikinogasu) — to miss hearing, to fail to catch (news, a message). Transitive. To miss information, such as 大事な連絡を聞き逃す (to miss an important message).
Figurative & Cultural Contexts:
逃げ水 (nigemizu) — a mirage, especially one seen on a hot road resembling water. This is a figurative use of 'escaping' water, as it appears to recede as you approach it.
逃げ恥 (nigehaji) — a colloquial shortening of 「逃げるは恥だが役に立つ」 (running away is shameful but useful), popularized by a Japanese drama. It humorously captures the notion that sometimes retreat is the best option.
Example Sentences
猫が窓から外へ逃げた。
Neko ga mado kara soto e nigeta.
The cat escaped outside through the window.
犯人は警察から逃亡を図った。
Hannin wa keisatsu kara tōbō o hakatta.
The criminal attempted to flee from the police.
その機会を逃したら、もう二度と来ないだろう。
Sono kikai o nogashitara, mō nido to konai darō.
If you miss that chance, it probably won't come again.
彼は借金から逃れるために外国へ行った。
Kare wa shakkin kara nogareru tame ni gaikoku e itta.
He went abroad to escape from his debts.
網にかかった魚を、うっかり逃してしまった。
Ami ni kakatta sakana o, ukkari nigashite shimatta.
I accidentally let the fish caught in the net escape.
厳しい現実から逃避しても問題は解決しない。
Kibishii genjitsu kara tōhi shite mo mondai wa kaiketsu shinai.
Even if you escape from a harsh reality, the problems won't be solved.
いつも難しい話になると、彼は逃げ腰になる。
Itsumo muzukashii hanashi ni naru to, kare wa nigegoshi ni naru.
Whenever the conversation gets difficult, he becomes evasive/hesitant.
彼女は誰よりも早い逃げ足で、その場から去った。
Kanojo wa dare yori mo hayai nigeashi de, sono ba kara satta.
She fled the scene faster than anyone else.
Memory Tip
To remember 逃, think of its components: the 'road' radical 辶 (movement) and the phonetic component 兆 (omen/sign). Imagine you see a bad 'omen' (兆) – perhaps a giant monster or an approaching storm. Your immediate instinct is to 'move' quickly (辶) away from it, meaning to 'escape' or 'flee'. So, an 'omen' on the 'road' makes you 'escape'!
Another way to visualize 兆 is as a stylized person running, with legs kicking back, emphasizing the swift 'movement' (辶) of 'flight'. This combination effectively links the visual elements to the core meaning of escaping danger or an undesirable situation.