放す|はなすhanasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto release; to let go; to free; to set free; to let loose; to turn loose
- godan verb, transitive verbto add (pieces of eggplant, potato, etc.) to water, broth, etc.
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 放す（はなす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 放します（はなします） |
| Negative (nai) | 放さない（はなさない） |
| polite (masen) | 放しません（はなしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 放さず・放さぬ（はなさず・はなさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 放した（はなした） |
| polite (mashita) | 放しました（はなしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 放さなかった（はなさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 放しませんでした（はなしませんでした） |
| Te form | 放して（はなして） |
| Potential | 放せる（はなせる） |
| Passive | 放される（はなされる） |
| Causative | 放させる（はなさせる） |
| Causative passive | 放させられる（はなさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 放せば（はなせば） |
| tara | 放したら（はなしたら） |
| Volitional | 放そう（はなそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 放しましょう（はなしましょう） |
| Imperative | 放せ（はなせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
犬を鎖から放す
放れる (intransitive) describes the dog coming free from the chain, emphasizing the resulting state or spontaneous change, while 放す (transitive) focuses on the deliberate act of releasing the dog from the chain.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym放つはなつNeutralTo fire or emit something, as in 「矢を放つ」「光を放つ」; more written in tone than 「放す」.
- Synonym逃がすにがすNeutralTo let a caught animal get away or let a chance slip by, as in 「魚を逃がす」.
- Synonym解放かいほうNeutralTo free someone or something from restraint or oppression, as in 「人質を解放する」; applies to people and groups alike.
- Synonym手放すてばなすNeutralTo let go physically, or to part with a possession, as in 「家を手放す」; 「放す」 lacks that parting-with sense.
- Synonym解き放すときはなすWrittenWritten word for undoing bonds and setting someone or something free, with a solemn, weighty tone.
- Synonym解き放つときはなつWrittenLiterary word for freeing something from restraint or oppression, as in 「心を解き放つ」.
- Related見放すみはなすNeutralTo give up on a person and abandon them, as in 「医者に見放される」; carries a cold, uncaring nuance.
- Related釈放しゃくほうWrittenLegal term for releasing someone in custody, as in 「容疑者を釈放する」.
- Related放免ほうめんWrittenWritten word for releasing someone found innocent or freed after serving their sentence, as in 「無罪放免」.
- Related取り離すとりはなすWrittenWritten word for letting go of something held; rare in modern Japanese.
- Antonym捕まえるつかまえるNeutralAntonym: to catch or arrest, the opposite of 「放す」 letting go or setting free.
- AntonymつかむNeutralAntonym: to seize or grip tightly, the opposite of 「放す」 letting go.
Use 「放す」 for letting go of something held or letting an animal go. For a chance slipping away use 「逃がす」; for parting with a possession 「手放す」; for freeing hostages 「解放」; for legal release 「釈放」. Antonyms: 「捕まえる」「掴む」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
