To Bewitch
To Trick, To Deceive
transitive verb, godan verb
You've seen the word 化ける (to transform) before, and here's a related word: 化かす. This means to bewitch, to trick, or to deceive.
Why? In Japanese folklore, foxes, spirits and other yokai often transform in order to bewitch, trick, or deceive humans. To 化かす them, in other words.
This verb is transitive, so it needs a direct object — you bewitch, trick, or deceive someone. You know this because when a fox wants to bewitch someone, they have to cuss (かす). They say a magic cuss word that lets them change forms and fool people. Those tricksy foxes…
The reading is the same as 化ける, so make sure you know that word and you'll be able to learn this word's reading as well.
人々を化かす
to bewitch people, to deceive people
村人を化かす
to bewitch villagers, to deceive villagers
人を化かす
to bewitch a person, to deceive a person
日本では、タヌキは人間を化かす生物だと言われている。
In Japan, raccoons are said to be creatures that bewitch humans.
このキツネは人を化かす天才だ。
This fox is a genius at enchanting people.
「先日は来れなくて、すみませんでした。キツネに化かされちまってねえ。」「心配しないでください。それはどうしようもない事ですから。」
"I’m sorry I couldn't make it the other day. I was bewitched by a fox." "No worries. Things like that can’t be helped."