éviter vs esquiver
French word comparison
Listen to éviter
Listen to esquiver
| éviter | esquiver |
|---|---|
/ay-vee-TAY/ verb | /es-kee-vay/ verb |
| to avoid; to keep away from something or prevent something from happening | to dodge; to evade; to avoid by slipping away from something |
How they differ
"Esquiver" suggests actively dodging a person, question, problem, or danger rather than simply avoiding it. It often feels more physical, tactical, or evasive than "éviter", which is broader and more neutral.
When to use each
When to use éviter: Use "éviter" when you mean simply to keep away from something, prevent it, or not do it.
When to use esquiver: Use "esquiver" when you want to stress a quick, indirect move to dodge or evade something, especially a question or responsibility.
Side-by-side examples
- J'essaie d'éviter les conflits.
(I try to avoid conflicts.) - Il a esquivé la question du journaliste.
(He dodged the journalist’s question.)
Register & nuance: "Esquiver" is common in everyday French, but it can sound more vivid or slightly evasive than "éviter".