剥がれる

• Reading: はがれる
• Romaji: hagareru
• Kanji breakdown: 剥 (haku/ha) — peel, strip, come off
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɡa.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To peel off; to come off; to flake off. The intransitive counterpart of 剥がす — the subject detaches on its own.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb — the subject peels off without an external agent causing it. Contrasts with the transitive 剥がす (to peel something off). Used for paint chipping, labels coming unstuck, and surfaces deteriorating over time. Figuratively describes masks or pretences dropping away naturally.

Examples

1. 古いペンキが剥がれて、壁がみすぼらしく見えた。 The old paint had peeled off, making the wall look shabby.
2. 長年貼ってあったシールがようやく剥がれた。 The sticker that had been on there for years finally came off.
3. 社会的な仮面が剥がれた瞬間、彼の本性が露わになった。 The moment his social mask peeled away, his true character was revealed.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, deterioration, figurative, emotions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The intransitive form derived from 剥がす (to peel off). The れる ending marks it as spontaneous or intransitive, indicating the action occurs without external intervention. The kanji 剥 relates to the separation and removal of surface layers.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal