Meaning
The kanji 脱 (だつ) is an important N1 character that covers several related ideas like "removal," "escape," and "taking off." Essentially, 脱 conveys separation, shedding, or liberation from something. Think of it as actively getting rid of something or something passively coming off. You'll encounter this versatile character in contexts ranging from everyday actions like undressing to more abstract concepts, such as escaping a difficult situation or omitting something from a text.
Looking at the visual components of 脱 can offer interesting clues to its meaning. The kanji is composed of two main parts:
The left radical is 月 (つきへん). In this context, it's actually a variant of 肉 (にく), meaning "flesh" or "body." You'll often see this form when the radical relates to body parts, as in 肝 (かん — liver) or 腸 (ちょう — intestine).
The right component is 兌 (だつ). This is an old character that meant "to exchange," "to please," and crucially, "to remove" or "to get rid of."
So, when you combine "flesh/body" (肉) with "to remove" (兌), the meaning becomes quite intuitive. This leads to senses like "to take off" (clothes from the body), "to undress," or "to escape" (from a situation, shedding a constraint). The kanji describes both a physical and metaphorical shedding or departure. This kanji is essential for expressing actions of liberation, withdrawal, or simply taking off your shoes after a long day!
脱 has 11 strokes and is a Joyo Kanji. While not assigned to a specific elementary school grade (it's often designated as Grade S for secondary school level or beyond), it is definitely an N1 level character, indicating its importance for advanced Japanese learners.
Readings
Now, we'll look at how to read this versatile kanji! 脱 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in different contexts and provides a deeper understanding of the character.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 脱 is ダツ (datsu). This reading often appears in compound words, especially those with a formal or abstract nuance related to escaping, withdrawing, removing, or omitting. When you see ダツ, think 'action of removal or separation.'
脱出 (dasshutsu) — This compound means "escape" or "breakout." Imagine a dramatic jailbreak or a quick escape from a dangerous situation.
脱退 (dattai) — "Withdrawal" or "secession." This is commonly used when an individual or a group leaves an organization, alliance, or even a political party.
脱衣 (datsui) — Literally "taking off clothes." You'll most often see this in compounds like 脱衣所 (datsuijo), which refers to a changing room, particularly at public baths or gyms.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are generally used when 脱 forms a verb, either alone or with okurigana (送り仮名). They convey a more direct, everyday sense of the action and are essential for conversational Japanese.
ぬ-ぐ (nugu) — This is perhaps the most common Kun'yomi. It means "to take off (clothes, shoes, hat, etc.)" or "to undress," implying an active, intentional action.
服を脱ぐ (fuku o nugu) — To take off clothes. A very common daily action!
靴を脱ぐ (kutsu o nugu) — To take off shoes, an essential custom when entering a Japanese home or traditional establishment.
ぬ-げる (nugeru) — This is the intransitive counterpart of ぬぐ, meaning "to come off" or "to slip off." It describes something coming off by itself or unintentionally.
靴が脱げる (kutsu ga nugeru) — Shoes come off (e.g., because they're too loose, or you stepped out of them).
帽子が脱げる (boushi ga nugeru) — A hat comes off (e.g., blown off by a strong wind).
ぬ-かす (nukasu) — This reading is less common in general conversation but means "to omit" or "to leave out." It can also imply "to skip over" or "to pass by" someone or something inadvertently.
一字脱かす (ichiji nukasu) — To omit a single character (e.g., while typing or writing a sentence).
ぬ-ける (nukeru) — This Kun'yomi is quite versatile. It means "to fall out," "to come out," "to escape," "to be missing," or "to shirk." It covers a range of situations from physical detachment to avoiding responsibility.
群れから脱ける (mure kara nukeru) — To break away from a flock or group.
責任を脱ける (sekinin o nukeru) — To shirk or escape responsibility.
Common Words & Compounds
Let's expand your vocabulary with some common words and compounds using 脱. You'll encounter these terms in various contexts, from daily life to news reports, demonstrating the kanji's wide range of meanings.
Actions of Removal and Taking Off
脱ぐ (nugu) — The fundamental verb: to take off (clothes, shoes, etc.).
脱げる (nugeru) — The intransitive verb: to come off, to slip off.
脱衣所 (datsuijo) — A changing room, often associated with public baths (銭湯) or gyms.
脱却 (dakkyaku) — Casting off, freeing oneself from. This term is used for breaking away from old habits, negative situations, or outdated systems (e.g., 貧困から脱却 — to escape poverty).
Escape and Withdrawal
脱出 (dasshutsu) — Escape, breakout. Crucial for emergency situations or getting out of a tight spot.
脱退 (dattai) — Withdrawal, secession. Frequently used in political or organizational contexts, such as a member leaving a club or a nation leaving an alliance.
脱走 (dassou) — Escape, desertion. Often implies escaping from confinement, like a prison or military service, or running away.
離脱 (ridatsu) — Separation, withdrawal, secession. Very similar to 脱退 but can also refer to a physical separation or detachment.
脱獄 (datsugoku) — Prison escape. A specific type of escape from confinement.
Omission and Change
脱落 (datsuraku) — Dropping out, falling off, omission. Used for participants dropping out of a race, parts falling off machinery, or something being left out unintentionally.
脱色 (dasshoku) — Decoloration, bleaching. The process of removing color, often from hair or fabric.
脱水 (dassui) — Dehydration, draining. Removing water from something, like a washing machine's spin cycle or a person's body.
Other Notable Uses
脱稿 (dakkou) — Finishing a manuscript. Literally "escaping the draft," meaning the manuscript is complete and ready.
脱線 (dassen) — Derailment (of a train) or digression (of a conversation). Literally "coming off the line."
脱帽 (datsubou) — Taking off one's hat. Can also mean "admiration" or "respect" (as in, I tip my hat to you for your impressive achievement!).
Example Sentences
お家に入る時は、靴を脱いでください。
O-uchi ni hairu toki wa, kutsu o nuide kudasai.
When entering a house, please take off your shoes.
急いでいたので、彼は服を脱いでパジャマに着替えた。
Isoide ita node, kare wa fuku o nuide pajama ni kigaeta.
Since he was in a hurry, he took off his clothes and changed into pajamas.
風が強くて、私の帽子が頭から脱げそうになった。
Kaze ga tsuyokute, watashi no boushi ga atama kara nugesou ni natta.
The wind was so strong that my hat almost slipped off my head.
多忙な仕事から脱却するため、休暇を取ることにした。
Tabou na shigoto kara dakkyaku suru tame, kyuuka o toru koto ni shita.
To break free from my busy work, I decided to take a vacation.
災害現場から全員無事に脱出できたと報告があった。
Saigai genba kara zen'in buji ni dasshutsu dekita to houkoku ga atta.
There was a report that everyone successfully escaped from the disaster site.
古い習慣を脱ぎ捨てて、新しい挑戦を始めよう。
Furui shuukan o datsugi sutete, atarashii chousen o hajimeyou.
Let's shed old customs and start a new challenge.
長年所属していたクラブを脱退することにした。
Naganen shozoku shiteita kurabu o dattai suru koto ni shita.
I decided to withdraw from the club I had belonged to for many years.
競争の激しい世界では、少しでも油断すると脱落してしまう。
Kyousou no hageshii sekai de wa, sukoshi demo yudan suru to datsuraku shite shimau.
In a highly competitive world, if you let your guard down even a little, you'll drop out.
その論文には、重要な引用が一箇所脱けていた。
Sono ronbun ni wa, juuyou na inyou ga ikkasho nukete ita.
A crucial citation was missing in one part of that paper.
Memory Tip
To remember 脱, let's break it down! On the left, we have 月 (つき), which, as we learned, often represents 肉 (にく) meaning "flesh" or "body." On the right, we have 兌 (だつ). While visually complex, we can simplify 兌 in our minds. Imagine it as a "person" (the small 人-like top part) being "freed" or "released" (the open bottom structure, almost like something is letting go). So, picture your "body" (肉/月) "releasing" itself from something, like taking off clothes or escaping a situation. For a more whimsical approach, imagine the moon (月) wanting to shed (兌) its cloudy disguise to reveal its full beauty. The core idea is removing something from the body or from a state of being. Think: your body sheds old skin, you shed your clothes, or you shed your responsibilities by escaping them! This visual story can help you remember the core meanings of removal and escape.