逃がす

• Reading: にがす
• Romaji: nigasu
• Kanji breakdown: 逃 (tō/ni) — to escape, to flee
• Pronunciation: /ni.ɡa.sɯ/

Meaning

To let escape; to set free; to release. Used for allowing something to get away, either intentionally or by mistake.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the す row. The transitive causative form related to 逃げる (to escape). Can mean deliberately releasing (setting a fish free) or accidentally losing (letting a chance slip away). The expression チャンスを逃がす (to miss an opportunity) is very common.

Examples

1. 釣った魚が小さかったので逃がした。 The fish I caught was small, so I let it go.
2. せっかくのチャンスを逃がしてしまった。 I ended up letting a great opportunity slip away.
3. 捕まえた虫を子供が逃がしてしまった。 The child accidentally let the bug they caught escape.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, nature, opportunities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from 逃げる (to escape) with the causative す ending. The kanji 逃 combines 辶 (road) and 兆 (sign/omen), suggesting fleeing along a path.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal