‘躲债’ literally means ‘to hide (躲) debt (债)’ and refers to the act of avoiding creditors or debt collectors—often by disappearing, changing contact information, or staying away from home. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying evasion of financial responsibility, and is commonly used in informal speech or news reports about financial distress.

The character 躲 emphasizes concealment or escape, while 债 specifically denotes money owed—especially unpaid loans, credit card balances, or business debts. Unlike formal legal terms like ‘defaulting on a loan’, 躲债 focuses on the behavioral response: actively hiding rather than negotiating or repaying. It frequently appears in contexts involving personal bankruptcy, small-business failure, or family financial pressure—and often implies shame, urgency, or social stigma.