脱ぐ

• Reading: ぬぐ
• Romaji: nugu
• Kanji breakdown: 脱 (datsu/nu) — to take off, to undress, to escape
• Pronunciation: /nɯ.ɡɯ/

Meaning

To take off (clothes, shoes); to undress; to remove (garments).

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the ぐ ending (脱いで, 脱いだ, 脱ぎます). Essential for Japanese daily life where removing shoes indoors is customary. Used for all types of clothing removal: shoes (靴を脱ぐ), coats, hats. The opposite of 着る, 履く, and 被る.

Examples

1. 家に入る前に靴を脱いでください。 Please take off your shoes before entering the house.
2. 暑いのでジャケットを脱ぎました。 It was hot, so I took off my jacket.
3. 帽子を脱いで挨拶した。 He took off his hat and greeted them.

Usage Guide

Context: home, daily life, etiquette

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 脱 combines 月 (flesh/body radical) with 兌 (to shed), directly conveying the meaning of shedding something from the body. Used consistently for removing garments since classical Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal