離す|はなすhanasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto separate; to part; to divide; to keep apart
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 離す（はなす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 離します（はなします） |
| Negative (nai) | 離さない（はなさない） |
| polite (masen) | 離しません（はなしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 離さず・離さぬ（はなさず・はなさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 離した（はなした） |
| polite (mashita) | 離しました（はなしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 離さなかった（はなさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 離しませんでした（はなしませんでした） |
| Te form | 離して（はなして） |
| Potential | 離せる（はなせる） |
| Passive | 離される（はなされる） |
| Causative | 離させる（はなさせる） |
| Causative passive | 離させられる（はなさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 離せば（はなせば） |
| tara | 離したら（はなしたら） |
| Volitional | 離そう（はなそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 離しましょう（はなしましょう） |
| Imperative | 離せ（はなせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
離れる focuses on the subject’s own separation from a source, whereas 離す focuses on the subject’s act of detaching or releasing another entity.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym引き離すひきはなすNeutralPulls apart with force; also used for opening up a lead over a rival, as in 「二位を大きく引き離す」.
- Synonym分けるわけるNeutralDivides into portions, sorts, or shares out, as in 「三つに分ける」; the focus is on dividing, while 「離す」 is about pulling apart to create distance.
- Synonym隔てるへだてるWrittenWritten/formal prose: to have something in between, as in 「川を隔てる」 or 「時を隔てる」; the emphasis is on the intervening gap.
- Synonym分かつわかつWrittenWritten/formal prose for dividing or sharing, as in 「喜びを分かち合う」.
- Related外すはずすNeutralTakes things off or detaches them, as in 「眼鏡を外す」; also used for stepping away, as in 「席を外す」.
- Related分離ぶんりWrittenWritten/formal prose, abstract and technical: separation as in 「政教分離」 or 「油と水が分離する」.
- Related隔離かくりNeutralIsolating someone, as in 「患者を隔離する」; mostly medical and epidemic-prevention contexts.
- Related取り外すとりはずすNeutralRemoves something that has been fitted or attached, as in 「部品を取り外す」; the object is a physical item, not a person or a bond.
- Related引き裂くひきさくNeutralTears something apart, and figuratively splits up close relationships, as in 「二人の仲を引き裂く」.
- RelatedとくNeutralUnties knots or cords, as in 「紐を解く」; also means solving problems.
- Related離隔りかくWrittenWritten/formal prose for being separated or kept apart; rare.
- AntonymつなぐNeutralThe opposite: joins or holds things together, as in 「手を繋ぐ」.
- Antonym結ぶむすぶNeutralThe opposite: ties or fastens, as in 「紐を結ぶ」; opposed to both 「離す」 and 「解く」.
- AntonymくっつけるCasualColloquial. Sticks things together or pushes them close, as in 「机をくっつける」; the opposite of 「離す」.
Use 「離す」 to pull things apart or let go, as in 「手を離す」 and 「目を離す」. For dividing into portions use 「分ける」, for taking things off 「外す」, for something in between 「隔てる」, and for isolating patients 「隔離」. The opposites are 「繋ぐ」 and 「くっつける」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
