Meaning

Primary

To Burn

Alternatives

To Scorch, To Char

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Remember how 焦げる means "to get burned"? 焦がす is the transitive version, so this time someone is actively doing the burning, making it to burn, to scorch, or to char.

焦がす means to burn the surface of something, usually blackening it to some degree. Unlike 焦げる, it can be for both intentional burning (a nice crème brûlée) and accidental burning (leaving bread in the toaster too long, scorching your sleeve on the stove).

Reading

こがす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading comes from 焦げる, so if you know that you know this word as well.

Context

Context Sentences

いつもトーストを真っ黒に焦がしてしまう。

I always burn my toast completely black.

Kanji Composition