Japanese word

逃がす

Pronunciation

Romajinigasu

Meaning

  • verblet escape

Example

捕まえた鳥を逃がしました。tsuka ma e ta tori o ni ga shi ma shi ta

I let the bird I caught escape.

Illustration for 逃がす (let escape)

More examples

釣った魚は、写真を撮ってから逃がします。tsu tta sakana wa sha shin o to tte ka ra ni ga shi ma su

I take a picture of the fish I caught and then release it.

Core concept

Changes someone or something from being held to being free by allowing it to escape.

Common phrases

  • 鳥を逃がすtori o ni ga su

    let a bird escape

  • 魚を逃がすsakana o ni ga su

    release a fish

  • 犯人を逃がすhan nin o ni ga su

    let the suspect escape

Similar words

放すhanasu: To stop holding a person, animal, or thing and let it move freely.
解放するkaihōsuru: To release a person or animal from confinement, control, or restraint.
逃すnogasu: To fail to keep someone or something from getting away, or to miss an opportunity.

Definition in Japanese

捕らえていた人や動物などを自由にして、逃げるままにすること。to ra e te i ta hito ya dō butsu na do o ji yū ni shi te ni ge ru ma ma ni su ru ko to

Word origin

逃がす (nigasu, "to let escape") is a native causative formation based on 逃ぐ (nigu, "to flee"); its final element す (su, "to cause") marks the act of making another flee.

Usage tips

  • The similar-looking pair 逃がす (nigasu, "let escape") and 逃す (nogasu, "miss or let slip") is useful because the latter often concerns a chance or opportunity rather than a captive.

Other meanings

  • releaseverb
  • set freeverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word