To Bewitch
To Enchant
transitive verb, godan verb
You've seen the word 化ける (to transform) before. Now we have a similar word. This word means to bewitch because when you cuss (かす) you are saying a magic word and bewitching the person in front of you. Imagine yourself yelling out cuss words, and every time a new enchantment falls upon your victim.
This verb is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object. You bewitch someone or something.
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."