Translation guide
The English phrase 'peeling off' can refer to layers separating from a surface, removing stickers or labels, or skin flaking. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
Expressing that something is coming off in layers or flakes, often by itself.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to peel off, come off, flake off'. Used when something detaches from a surface naturally or without specifying an agent.
壁のペンキが剥がれている。
The paint on the wall is peeling off.
日焼けで背中の皮が剥がれた。
The skin on my back peeled off from sunburn.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to peel off, come off, wear off'. Often used for paint, coating, or plating that has worn away or peeled off in patches.
車の塗装が剥げてきた。
The car's paint is peeling off.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be turned up, be peeled back'. Used when a thin layer like a sticker edge or skin flap curls up.
シールの端がめくれている。
The edge of the sticker is peeling up.
Expressing the action of deliberately peeling something off a surface.
Transitive verb meaning 'to peel off, tear off, strip off'. Used when someone removes something stuck to a surface.
値札を剥がしてください。
Please peel off the price tag.
壁からポスターを剥がした。
I peeled the poster off the wall.
Transitive verb meaning 'to peel (fruit, vegetables, etc.)'. Not used for stickers or paint, but for removing skin or rind.
りんごの皮を剥く。
Peel the apple.
Describing skin that is peeling off, often due to sunburn or dryness.
Common phrase meaning 'skin peels'. Intransitive, describing the natural process.
日焼けして皮がむけた。
I got sunburned and my skin peeled off.
Also used for skin peeling off in pieces, similar to paint peeling.
かさぶたが剥がれた。
The scab peeled off.
剥がれる (hagareru) implies something that was attached comes off, often in pieces or layers. 剥げる (hageru) implies a coating or surface layer wears off or comes off in patches, often due to age or friction. For paint, both can be used, but 剥がれる focuses on detachment, while 剥げる focuses on loss of covering.
Do not use 剥く (muku) for stickers, labels, or paint. It is specifically for peeling the skin of fruits and vegetables, or sometimes for peeling off thin layers like bark.