peel

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 剝 has ten strokes and uses the on-reading はく and kun-readings such as はがす and はがれる.
• Basic usage: It describes removing a peel or attached surface, or that surface coming off.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Peels and attached surfaces
  • 剝く(むく) is used for peeling a tangerine, while 剝がす(はがす) is used for removing an attached label or wrapping.
  • Their meanings overlap in removing a covering, but they differ in emphasis between peeling a skin and detaching a layer.
• Removing and coming off
  • 剝がす describes someone removing something; 剝がれる(はがれる) describes paint or a label coming off.