任す・委す|まかすmakasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
任す任す is the more common written form, using mixed kanji and kana. It is the form learners should normally choose when writing this word.
委す委す is a rarely used mixed kanji-and-kana variant. You may encounter it, but learners should generally use 任す instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto entrust (to someone); to leave (in someone's hands)oft. in the passive
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 任す（まかす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 任します（まかします） |
| Negative (nai) | 任さない（まかさない） |
| polite (masen) | 任しません（まかしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 任さず・任さぬ（まかさず・まかさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 任した（まかした） |
| polite (mashita) | 任しました（まかしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 任さなかった（まかさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 任しませんでした（まかしませんでした） |
| Te form | 任して（まかして） |
| Potential | 任せる（まかせる） |
| Passive | 任される（まかされる） |
| Causative | 任させる（まかさせる） |
| Causative passive | 任させられる（まかさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 任せば（まかせば） |
| tara | 任したら（まかしたら） |
| Volitional | 任そう（まかそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 任しましょう（まかしましょう） |
| Imperative | 任せ（まかせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym任せるまかせるNeutralThe everyday standard form for entrusting or leaving things to someone; 「任す」 is a close Godan-verb variant with a more casual feel.
- Synonym委託いたくNeutralA noun for formally commissioning work or business to another party; 「任す」 is casual, spoken entrusting.
- Synonym預けるあずけるNeutralUsed for leaving things, or children, in someone's keeping; 「任す」 stresses handing a matter over for the other person to handle.
- Synonym委任いにんWrittenFormal, legal-flavored term for delegating authority; 「任す」 is the more colloquial word.
- Synonym託するたくするWrittenWritten-style word for entrusting something or placing hopes in it, as in 「夢を託する」; 「任す」 is the more colloquial choice.
- Related信託しんたくWrittenA written, financial and legal term for placing assets in trust; 「任す」 is much more colloquial.
- Antonym引き受けるひきうけるNeutralTo take on or accept a task yourself, the opposite of handing it over with 「任す」.
- Antonym自らやるNeutralDoing something yourself, the opposite of entrusting it to someone else with 「任す」.
To hand a task to someone in speech, use 「任す」, as in 「任しといて」, but 「任せる」 is the everyday default. For written entrusting use 「託する」, for formal commissioning 「委託」, for depositing things 「預ける」; if you take a task on yourself, say 「引き受ける」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 任せる。
Kanji in this word
