Sections
Nigeru (逃げる): what it means in anime
逃げる
にげる · nigeru · to run away; to flee; to get away JLPT N4
Nigeru means "to run away" or "to escape". The command form 逃げろ ("run!") is one of the most shouted lines in anime, and 逃げちゃダメだ ("I mustn't run away") is famous from Evangelion.
Where you hear it 11 of 42 series
Lines from the Japanese subtitles of episodes 1–3 of each show. A translation is shown only when it clearly matches the line; counts are subtitle lines containing the word.
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Vinland Saga · 15 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
昨夜 俺の奴隷が １匹 鎖を断ち切って逃げたLast night, one of my slaves cut his chain and ran away.
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One-Punch Man · 10 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 2
万一 蚊の群れと遭遇した 際には必ず逃げてくださいIf you encounter a swarm of mosquitos, flee immediately.
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Cowboy Bebop · 10 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 2
逃げた！ ジェットIt got away, Jet!
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Attack on Titan · 7 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
逃げたいよ 俺も！I want to run away too!
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Assassination Classroom · 7 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 2
ちくしょう 逃げやがったDamn! He got away!
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One Piece · 6 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
え？ 俺は海賊だ 逃げるpicture? I'm a pirate, run away
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Chainsaw Man · 6 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 2
お前は悪魔にビビって 逃げたってなHow you got scared of a devil and ran away.
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The Promised Neverland · 18 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 3
壊すのは あくまで逃げるとき
Also in: Code Geass, Chainsaw Man, Dr. Stone.
Usage and nuance
逃げろ is the rough male command, 逃げて is the softer request, and 逃げるな ("don't run") is what a drill sergeant says. In The Promised Neverland the whole plot is 逃げる from the orphanage.
It also covers running from responsibility: 現実から逃げる is "to run from reality". A character accused of 逃げてばかり ("always running away") is being told they avoid problems.
The noun 逃げ道 (nigemichi) is "escape route", and 逃げ場がない means "nowhere to run", both common in tense scenes.
Hear 逃げる in Vinland Saga15 lines in episodes 1–3 · tappable subtitles · free, no account