唆す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 唆す, read そそのかす, means enticing or inciting someone to act.
• Basic usage: It is used in negative contexts like the examples, where someone is led toward undesirable or reckless behavior.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Target and direction
  • In 少年を唆して, the boy is the person being enticed.
  • In 競争へ唆す, へ marks the action toward which the person is being led.
• Verb form
  • The te-form of 唆す is 唆して: the final す becomes して.
• Encouragement versus incitement
  • 励ます focuses on encouraging and giving someone strength, while 唆す leans toward enticing someone into an undesirable action.