逃がす|にがすnigasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto set free; to let go; to release
- godan verb, transitive verbto miss (e.g. a chance); to lose; to let get away; to fail to catch
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 逃がす（にがす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 逃がします（にがします） |
| Negative (nai) | 逃がさない（にがさない） |
| polite (masen) | 逃がしません（にがしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 逃がさず・逃がさぬ（にがさず・にがさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 逃がした（にがした） |
| polite (mashita) | 逃がしました（にがしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 逃がさなかった（にがさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 逃がしませんでした（にがしませんでした） |
| Te form | 逃がして（にがして） |
| Potential | 逃がせる（にがせる） |
| Passive | 逃がされる（にがされる） |
| Causative | 逃がさせる（にがさせる） |
| Causative passive | 逃がさせられる（にがさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 逃がせば（にがせば） |
| tara | 逃がしたら（にがしたら） |
| Volitional | 逃がそう（にがそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 逃がしましょう（にがしましょう） |
| Imperative | 逃がせ（にがせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
魚を逃がす
逃げる (intransitive) describes the subject’s own act of escaping, as in 犯人が逃げる. 逃がす (transitive) focuses on causing someone or something to escape, often implying release or failure to hold, as in 魚を逃がす.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym放つはなつNeutralMeans to fire or release something, as in 「矢を放つ」; 「逃がす」 focuses on letting someone or something get away.
- Synonym放すはなすNeutralMeans letting go of your grip or releasing a captured animal, as in 「鳥を放す」; 「逃がす」 can also mean letting one get away by accident.
- Synonym解き放すときはなすWrittenWritten/formal word for undoing restraints and setting something free; 「逃がす」 also covers missing a chance or failing to catch something.
- Synonym解き放つときはなつWrittenWritten/formal word for freeing something from restraint; more common than 「解き放す」.
- Antonym捕まえるつかまえるNeutralNeutral word for catching or seizing something; the opposite of 「逃がす」 letting it go.
- Antonym捕獲するWrittenWritten/formal word for capturing; the opposite of 「逃がす」 letting something go.
- Antonym確保するNeutralNeutral word for securing or keeping hold of something; the opposite of 「逃がす」 missing or losing it.
Use 「逃がす」 for letting something get away, letting it escape, or missing a chance, as in 「チャンスを逃がす」. For releasing a captured animal say 「放す」; for freeing from bonds, 「解き放つ」. To catch is 「捕まえる」; to secure, 「確保する」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
