Meaning and Usage
"焦げる" (こげる) primarily means "to burn" or "to be burned," often referring to food or objects that get charred or scorched due to heat. It is an intransitive verb, so the subject is the thing that burns or scorches itself.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in cooking contexts when food is accidentally burnt, such as bread, meat, or vegetables. It can also describe something exposed to intense heat, like the sun or fire, causing a burning sensation or appearance.
Collocations and Patterns
- 焦げる匂い (こげるにおい): the smell of burning, often indicating food is overcooked
- 焦げる前に (こげるまえに): before it burns, used to advise caution
- 焦げるような暑さ (こげるようなあつさ): scorching heat, a metaphorical use describing extreme heat
Register and Nuance
"焦げる" is a neutral term used in everyday conversation and writing. It is not formal but perfectly acceptable in polite speech when discussing cooking or heat.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "焦げる" with "焼ける" (やける), which also means "to burn" but can be broader, including sunburn or general heating. "焦げる" specifically implies charring or burning to a darker, often unwanted degree. Use "焦げる" when emphasizing the burnt or scorched condition.