1.
to tear off; to peel off
To remove something that is attached or stuck to a surface.
2.
to strip; to remove
To take away a covering or outer layer.
布団のカバーを剥がして洗った。
I stripped the cover off the futon and washed it.
古い壁紙を剥がす作業は大変だった。
The work of stripping the old wallpaper was tough.
ペンキを剥がしてから塗り直す。
I'll strip the paint and repaint.
剥がす is transitive (他動詞). The intransitive pair is 剥がれる (to peel off, come off).
ASPECT ({ている}):
剥がしている indicates the action of peeling is in progress.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- シールを剥がす (to peel off a sticker)
- 皮を剥がす (to peel skin/bark)
- 仮面を剥がす (to unmask - figurative)
- 化けの皮を剥がす (to expose someone's true nature)
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- ～を剥がす: What is being peeled off
- ～から剥がす: From what surface
Also written as 剥く for peeling fruit/vegetables, but 剥がす is specifically for removing attached items.