剥げる

はげる

to come off, to be worn off, to fade, to discolor

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 剥げる (はげる) primarily describes something coming off, wearing off, or fading, especially surfaces like paint, leather, or skin. It often implies a gradual or natural process of deterioration or loss of color.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see 剥げる used when talking about paint peeling off walls, leather goods losing their surface, or skin discoloration due to sun exposure. It is a descriptive verb that conveys visible physical changes.

Collocations and Patterns

  • ペンキが剥げる: paint comes off
  • 表面が剥げる: surface wears off
  • 色が剥げる: color fades

These collocations highlight the typical objects and changes associated with 剥げる.

Register and Nuance

剥げる is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is often used in everyday conversation when describing wear and tear.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 剥げる with 剥がれる (はがれる), which also means 'to peel off' but is more often used for stickers, labels, or things that can be peeled away as a whole. 剥げる focuses more on gradual wearing or fading rather than peeling off in one piece.

Example Sentences

かべのぺんきがはげてきたので、ぬりなおすひつようがある。

The paint on the wall is coming off, so it needs to be repainted.

ながねんつかっていたさいふのひょうめんがはげてしまった。

The surface of the wallet I've used for many years has worn off.

ひやけではだのいろがはげてしまったようにみえる。

It looks like the skin color has faded due to sunburn.