scorch

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 焦 has 12 strokes and denotes food or an object being scorched by heat.
• Basic usage: 焦げる is read こげる, and 焦がす is read こがす.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What burned and what someone scorched
  • パンが焦げてしまった means that the bread ended up burned.
  • 鍋の底を焦がしてしまった means accidentally scorching the bottom of the pot.
• Heating as part of cooking
  • 砂糖を弱火で焦がす describes caramelizing sugar over low heat to develop color. 焦がす is also used for deliberate cooking.