The Meaning of hagu [剥ぐ] In Japanese

剥ぐ
はぐ
Romaji: hagu N4

What does 剥ぐ mean?

Translation and Meaning

to peel off, to skin, to strip

Definition

What does 剥ぐ mean? It means to remove the outer layer from something by peeling or stripping, such as skin, rind, paint, or clothing, exposing what lies beneath.

Type

verb (godan, transitive)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • To remove the outer layer from a surface or object, such as skin, rind, or paint.
  • To skin an animal or fruit as part of preparation.
  • Figurative: to reveal or uncover by removing an outer layer.

Etymology

剥 ぐ combined forms a verb meaning peeling; the semantic core is peeling or stripping; the okurigana indicates verb form; no external borrowing involved.

Composition

  • 剥: peel, strip; core semantic, indicating removal of an outer layer. The suffix ぐ marks the verb form.

Usage

Used as a transitive verb with an object marked by を or with nouns describing a surface or coating; common in cooking, carpentry, and everyday conversation. Casual and neutral in tone; typical patterns include Xを剥ぐ or Xの皮を剥ぐ.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a blade gliding along the edge of a fruit, shaving away the outer layer until what remains is the clean interior.

Variations

  • むく (むく) – general peeling; romaji: muku
  • 剥がす (はがす) – to peel off or strip away something attached; romaji: hagasu

Example Phrases

  • 私は 今朝、 スーパーで リンゴの 皮を 剥ぐ。
    Watashi wa kesa, suupā de ringo no kawa o hagu.
    I peel the apple’s skin at the supermarket this morning.
    Lista:
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 今朝、 (kesa) – this morning,
    • スーパーで (suupā de) – at the supermarket
    • リンゴの (ringo no) – apple’s
    • 皮を (kawa o) – peel
    • 剥ぐ (hagu) – to peel
    「剥ぐ」は他動詞。直接目的語を剥く動作を表す。
剥ぐ