焦がす|こがすkogasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto burn; to scorch; to singe; to char
    The exile yearned for his home.
Conjugation
Dictionary form焦がす(こがす)
Polite (masu)焦がします(こがします)
Negative (nai)焦がさない(こがさない)
polite (masen)焦がしません(こがしません)
classical zu / nu焦がさず・焦がさぬ(こがさず・こがさぬ)
Past (ta)焦がした(こがした)
polite (mashita)焦がしました(こがしました)
Past negative (nakatta)焦がさなかった(こがさなかった)
polite (masen deshita)焦がしませんでした(こがしませんでした)
Te form焦がして(こがして)
Potential焦がせる(こがせる)
Passive焦がされる(こがされる)
Causative焦がさせる(こがさせる)
Causative passive焦がさせられる(こがさせられる)
Conditional (ba)焦がせば(こがせば)
tara焦がしたら(こがしたら)
Volitional焦がそう(こがそう)
polite (mashou)焦がしましょう(こがしましょう)
Imperative焦がせ(こがせ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
transitive焦がすこがす⇄intransitive焦げるこげる
焦げる describes the state of something becoming burnt or charred, while 焦がす focuses on the agent's action that causes the burning.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym焼け焦がすNeutralBurns something until it is blackened and marked by fire; a stronger degree of burning than 「焦がす」.
  • Synonym焼焦がすNeutralAn alternative spelling of 「焼け焦がす」 with the same sense of burning something; used less often.
  • Related焼くやくNeutralThe broadest term for burning, grilling or roasting; 「焦がす」 narrows this to scorching or charring something until it blackens.
  • RelatedあぶるNeutralLightly toasts or grills a surface over a flame, as in 「海苔を炙る」; the food is not necessarily burnt.

Use 「焦がす」 when something is scorched or charred, typically food left on the heat too long, as in 「魚を焦がす」; figuratively, 「胸を焦がす」 means to burn with longing. For grilling in general pick 「焼く」, and for lightly toasting a surface over a flame pick 「炙る」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 火ひにあてて黒くろくする。
  2. 心こころを苦くるしめる。心こころを悩なやませる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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