Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Peel" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "peel", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
はがす
はがす (hagasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
剥がす
はがす (hagasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "peel" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between はがす and 剥がす.
In Japanese, はがす (はがす (hagasu)) is typically associated with "to peel off, to tear off, to strip off" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when detaching something that is stuck.
On the other hand, 剥がす (はがす (hagasu)) maps to "to peel off, to strip off, to tear off" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Transitive verb. Used for removing something that is stuck or attached, like a sticker, plaster, or skin.. A literal translation of "peel" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "はがす"
壁に貼ってあったポスターをそっとはがした。
I gently peeled off the poster that was stuck on the wall.
Bilingual Context for "剥がす"
壁に貼った古いポスターを慎重に剥がした。
I carefully peeled off the old poster stuck on the wall.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "壁に貼ってあったポスターをそっとはがした。" (Meaning: "I gently peeled off the poster that was stuck on the wall.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "はがす" fits here because it means "to peel off, to tear off, to strip off" in the context of: "I gently peeled off the poster that was stuck on the wall.". "剥がす" represents "to peel off, to strip off, to tear off".