éviter vs fuir
French word comparison
Listen to éviter
Listen to fuir
| éviter | fuir |
|---|---|
/ay-vee-TAY/ verb | /fweer/ verb |
| to avoid; to keep away from something or prevent something from happening | to flee; to run away from; to shun |
How they differ
"Fuir" implies getting away from something because it feels threatening, unpleasant, or unbearable. Compared with "éviter", it is stronger and more urgent, and it often suggests physical departure or emotional rejection rather than simple avoidance.
When to use each
When to use éviter: Use "éviter" for ordinary avoidance without the idea of fleeing or alarm.
When to use fuir: Use "fuir" when someone escapes, runs away, or tries hard to get far from a person, place, or situation.
Side-by-side examples
- Il faut éviter les zones dangereuses la nuit.
(You must avoid dangerous areas at night.) - Les habitants ont fui la ville après l'incendie.
(The residents fled the city after the fire.)
Register & nuance: "Fuir" is very common and can be literal or figurative, but it is stronger and more dramatic than "éviter".