化かす

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 化かす (ばかす) is a godan transitive verb for a fox or supernatural being deceiving and bewildering a person.
• Basic usage: 狐が旅人を化かす has a fox bewitch a traveler in folklore, while 人を化かす妖怪 modifies a forest spirit by its deceptive power.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Fox and supernatural deceiver
  • 旅人を化かす and 人を化かす both describe supernatural deception. The verb should not be weakened to changing costume or conducting an ordinary fraud.