Translation guide
The act of releasing someone or something from confinement, restraint, or obligation. In Japanese, the most natural expression depends on what is being freed and the context.
To set a person free from prison, kidnapping, or physical restraint.
General term for releasing or liberating someone from confinement or oppression. Can be used for prisoners, hostages, or oppressed people.
They release the hostages.
They set the prisoner free.
Specifically used for legal release from custody or prison. More formal than 解放する.
He was released due to insufficient evidence.
Literally 'to make free'. A more casual, everyday way to say 'set free'. Often used for animals or in less formal contexts.
I set the bird I caught free.
To set an animal free, such as a pet or a wild animal caught in a trap.
To let an animal go, to release it. Commonly used for setting free a caught animal or releasing a pet into the wild.
I released the fish I caught.
To let go, release. Can be used for animals or people, but for animals it often implies releasing from one's grasp.
Also works for animals, especially in casual speech.
I set the dog free from its chain.
To release a person from a duty, promise, debt, or emotional burden.
Can also be used metaphorically for freeing someone from obligations, stress, or restrictions.
I was freed from that work.
I want to be free from stress.
To exempt someone from an obligation, duty, or payment. More formal and specific to rules or requirements.
In the sense of releasing from a promise or informal obligation, but less common for formal duties.
I'll release you from your promise.
To free oneself or someone else from emotional ties, grudges, or attachments.
解放する is the most general term for setting free, covering people, animals, and abstract concepts. 釈放する is strictly legal and formal, used only for release from custody. 逃がす is specifically for letting an animal or person escape, often implying they were caught or trapped.
Free the slaves.
The suspect was released.
I let the frog go.
The English phrase 'set free' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using セットフリーする is not natural. Choose the appropriate verb based on context.
I set the bird free from the cage.
捕まえた虫を放した。
I let the bug I caught go.
He was exempted from tuition fees.
怒りを手放す。
Let go of anger.