Translation guide
How to express 'let loose' in Japanese, covering releasing something physically, relaxing/unwinding, and speaking freely.
To set free, unleash, or let go of a person, animal, or object.
General verb for releasing or letting go of something you were holding or restraining.
犬を放してください。
Please let the dog loose.
彼はロープを放した。
He let loose the rope.
To set free, unleash, or liberate, often with a sense of releasing from confinement or restraint. More dramatic than 放す.
彼は怒りを解き放った。
He let loose his anger.
To let escape or set free, often used for animals or people you intentionally release.
捕まえた鳥を逃がした。
I let the bird I caught loose.
To stop being serious or restrained and enjoy oneself freely.
Literally 'stretch one's wings', meaning to relax and enjoy oneself freely, often away from daily responsibilities.
週末は温泉で羽を伸ばした。
I let loose at a hot spring over the weekend.
To take a breather or break from stress; to unwind.
たまには息抜きをしないとね。
You need to let loose sometimes.
To burst open; metaphorically, to let loose and have a great time, often in a lively, energetic way.
To release stress; a common way to say you let loose to relieve tension.
運動してストレスを発散した。
I let loose by exercising.
To say what you really think without holding back, often in a critical or emotional way.
To say exactly what you think, without filtering. A natural way to express 'let loose' verbally.
彼は思ったことをそのまま言ってしまった。
He let loose and said exactly what he thought.
To let slip; to accidentally say something you shouldn't have. Implies losing control of your words.
つい口を滑らせて秘密を話してしまった。
I let loose and accidentally told the secret.
To unleash a sharp tongue; to speak harshly or critically. Used when someone lets loose with biting remarks.
彼女は上司に毒舌を吐いた。
She let loose on her boss with harsh words.
Directly translating 'let loose' as 緩める (ゆるめる, to loosen) or 自由にする (じゆうにする, to set free) often sounds unnatural. Use the options above depending on context.
カラオケではじけよう！
Let's let loose at karaoke!