evitar

to avoid

verb eh-bee-TAHR Common

Also means

to prevent

Usage Note

Evitar is followed directly by an infinitive or a noun (evitar hablar, to avoid speaking; evitar el tráfico, to avoid traffic). Unlike English 'avoid,' it does not take a gerund — say evitar comer not evitar comiendo. It can also mean to spare someone trouble: te evito el viaje (I'll save you the trip).

Examples

"Hay que evitar el azúcar en exceso."

Natural Translation

You need to avoid excess sugar.

Literal Translation

There-is that to-avoid the sugar in excess

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