to run away
Loading your saved state.
to run away
To leave a place or person suddenly or secretly, often out of fear, dissatisfaction, or in order to escape.
Der Hund ist gestern weggelaufen, als die Gartentür offen stand.
The dog ran away yesterday when the garden gate was open.
to run away from
In a figurative sense, to try to avoid an unpleasant situation, a responsibility, or a problem instead of dealing with it.
Du kannst nicht ewig vor deinen Problemen weglaufen.
You can't run away from your problems forever.
'Weglaufen' (to run away) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'weg' comes at the end, but in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb.
Der Junge lief sofort weg, als er den großen Hund sah.
The boy ran away immediately when he saw the big dog.
Since 'weglaufen' (to run away) describes movement, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
Meine Katze ist schon wieder weggelaufen.
My cat has run away yet again.
In the figurative meaning, 'weglaufen' (to run away) is always used with the preposition 'vor' and the dative. You run away 'vor' (from) a problem, a task, or a responsibility.
Er versucht, vor seiner Verantwortung wegzulaufen.
He is trying to run away from his responsibility.
to flee
Fliehen and weglaufen can both mean quickly leaving a dangerous place out of fear. Fliehen sounds more serious and is especially suitable for a real threat; weglaufen is more general and often more colloquial. Fliehen is appropriate in a formal message, while in everyday speech you can also say weglaufen.
Die Menschen liefen aus Angst vor dem Feuer aus dem Gebäude weg.
The people ran out of the building because they were afraid of the fire.
Die Menschen flohen aus dem brennenden Gebäude.
The people fled the burning building.
