Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Avoid in Spanish: Evitar
Evitar · verb · eh-vee-TAHR
The Spanish verb 'evitar' translates to 'avoid,' meaning to keep away from something or prevent it from happening. It is a regular -ar verb and can be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. More formal or literary alternatives include 'eludir' (to evade) and 'esquivar' (to dodge physically).
eh-vee-TAHR
Deberías evitar comer alimentos muy pesados antes de ir a dormir.
You should avoid eating very heavy foods before going to sleep.
Avoid in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for avoid, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| evitar | avoid | eh-vee-TAHR | Default, widely understood |
| eludir | avoid | more formal or literary | |
| esquivar | avoid | physically dodging |
How Native Speakers Use Evitar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Health advice
El médico me aconsejó evitar el estrés excesivo para mejorar mi presión arterial.
The doctor advised me to avoid excessive stress to improve my blood pressure.
Evitar + noun is the most common construction for avoiding something.
Traffic
Tomemos la ruta alternativa para evitar el embotellamiento del centro de la ciudad.
Let's take the alternative route to avoid the traffic jam downtown.
Evitar can mean to steer clear of physical obstacles or situations.
Social situation
Ella intentó evitar la conversación incómoda cambiando de tema rápidamente.
She tried to avoid the awkward conversation by quickly changing the subject.
Intentar evitar expresses the attempt to avoid something.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Evitar
Wrong preposition
Incorrect: Quiero evitar de hablar sobre ese tema.
Correct: Quiero evitar hablar sobre ese tema.
Unlike some Romance language constructions, evitar connects directly to an infinitive without any preposition in between.
Confused synonym
Incorrect: El portero esquivó la conversación con los periodistas.
Correct: El portero evitó la conversación con los periodistas.
Esquivar implies a physical dodge or swerve; for avoiding conversations or abstract situations, evitar is the appropriate verb.
Lock in Avoid Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Evitar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using evitar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Deberías evitar comer alimentos muy pesados antes de ir a dormir. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Avoid in Spanish
- Is evitar a regular verb?
- Evitar is a completely regular -ar verb with no stem changes or irregular forms in any tense. This makes it one of the easiest verbs to conjugate: evito, evitas, evita, evitamos, evitan in the present tense.
- What is the difference between evitar, eludir, and esquivar?
- Evitar is the most general and commonly used term for avoiding anything. Eludir carries a more strategic or deliberate connotation, often used for evading responsibilities or pursuers, while esquivar specifically describes the physical act of dodging, like sidestepping a punch or a ball.
- Can evitar mean 'to prevent'?
- In certain constructions, evitar does overlap with 'to prevent,' as in 'Esto evitará problemas futuros' (This will prevent future problems). The dual meaning of avoiding and preventing makes evitar extremely versatile in both everyday and formal Spanish.