To Let Go
To Set Free, To Let Escape
transitive verb, godan verb
Remember how 逃げる means "to escape"? Well this verbs means to let go, to set free, or to let escape.
にがす
You learned the に reading for this kanji when you learned 逃げる.
If you have trouble telling the two words apart, remember that if you're going to let go of someone, make sure they have their knee guards (にが). It's a dangerous world, you can't have them running free without some extra protection, you know.
あの犯人を逃がすことはできない。
We can’t let the criminal escape.
この施設に捕らえられている人質を逃がすために潜入しました。
I've infiltrated this facility to set free the hostages who are being held here.
いいカモだったのに、逃がしちゃったね。
He was a real stitting duck, but we let him go.