Meaning and Usage
The verb 焦がす (こがす) means "to burn" or "to scorch" something, usually by applying too much heat. It is often used when cooking, for example, when food is accidentally burnt. It can also be used metaphorically to describe damage caused by stress or intense emotion.
Common Collocations
- パンを焦がす (to burn bread): a common cooking mistake.
- 料理を焦がす (to burn food): general phrase for burning any dish.
- 火を焦がす (to scorch the fire): less common, but possible in literal contexts.
Register and Politeness
焦がす is a neutral verb and can be used in casual and polite speech. When speaking politely, it is often combined with しまう (e.g., 焦がしてしまった) to express regret or accident.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 焦がす (to burn something) with 焦げる (こげる), which means "to be burnt" or "to get scorched" (intransitive). Remember, 焦がす is transitive (you burn something), while 焦げる is intransitive (something burns by itself).