Japanese word

外す

Pronunciation

Romajihazusu

Meaning

  • verbtake off

Example

毎朝、帽子を外します。mai asa bō shi o hazu shi ma su

I take off my hat every morning.

Illustration for 外す (take off)

More examples

洗濯する前に、シャツのボタンを外します。sen taku su ru mae ni sha tsu no bo ta n o hazu shi ma su

I unfasten the buttons on my shirt before washing it.

Core concept

Expresses making a worn or attached object leave its usual place.

Common phrases

  • マスクを外すma su ku o hazu su

    take off your mask

  • 帽子を外すbō shi o hazu su

    take off your hat

  • 眼鏡を外すmegane o hazu su

    take off your glasses

Similar words

取るtoru: To remove something or take it away from a place.
脱ぐnugu: To remove clothing or shoes from the body.
取り外すtorihazusu: To detach and remove something that is fixed or connected.

Definition in Japanese

身に着けている物や固定されている物を、その位置から離す。mi ni tsu ke te i ru mono ya ko tei sa re te i ru mono o so no i chi ka ra hana su

Word origin

The native verb 外す (hazusu, "to remove") is related to 外れる (hazureru, "to come off"); the pair contrasts causing something to leave with leaving by itself.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate take off with clothing or shoes, while 外す (hazusu) also covers detaching an item such as a button or a lid.

Other meanings

  • removeverb
  • detachverb
  • unfastenverb

Opposites

  • 付けるtsukeruput onverb

Word lists with this word