Meaning and Usage
"帰す" (かえす) means "to send back" or "to let someone return home." It is often used when someone is allowed or ordered to leave a place and go back to where they came from. This verb is typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as in schools, workplaces, or official situations.
Common Contexts
You will see "帰す" used when teachers send students home, police release suspects, or organizers dismiss participants. It implies an authority figure or someone responsible making the decision to let others leave.
Collocations and Patterns
- 帰す (かえす): to send back, to dismiss
- 早く帰す (はやくかえす): to send home early
- 帰すことにする: to decide to send back
Usage Notes
"帰す" differs from "帰る" (to return) because "帰す" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object (someone being sent back), while "帰る" is intransitive and describes the subject returning by themselves. Learners often confuse these two, so remember: if you are sending someone else back, use "帰す." If you yourself are going back, use "帰る."