Translation guide
The English verb "remove" covers a wide range of actions: taking something away, deleting, eliminating, stripping off, and more. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being removed and how. This guide organizes the most common meanings for learners.
Physically take something from a place or person, often to put it elsewhere.
General term for removing something unwanted or obstructive. Slightly formal.
机の上の障害物を取り除いてください。
Please remove the obstacles from the desk.
Remove something attached or fitted, like a lid, a part, or an accessory.
メガネを外してください。
Please remove your glasses.
Casual, common verb for taking something off or out. Often used in compounds.
棚から本を取って。
Take the book off the shelf.
Move something out of the way (casual).
その椅子をどけて。
Move that chair out of the way.
Remove digital content, text, or marks.
Standard for deleting files, messages, accounts.
このファイルを削除してもいいですか。
Can I delete this file?
Erase, turn off, or delete. Very common in daily speech.
ホワイトボードの文字を消してください。
Please erase the writing on the whiteboard.
Cancel or revoke (an order, a statement).
Remove something abstract or unwanted, like a problem, stain, or obstacle.
Also used for abstract removal (fear, doubt, obstacles).
不安を取り除く方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to remove anxiety.
Get rid of, eliminate (often used for problems, pests).
Exterminate pests or vermin.
ゴキブリを駆除したい。
I want to get rid of cockroaches.
Remove something worn on the body.
Take off clothes, shoes, etc.
コートを脱いでください。
Please take off your coat.
Remove accessories like glasses, earrings, watch.
Take off hat, scarf, etc. (casual).
帽子を取って。
Take off your hat.
Dismiss someone from a job or position.
Dismiss from a post (formal).
社長は取締役を解任した。
The president removed the director from his post.
Remove someone from a team or lineup.
監督は彼をレギュラーから外した。
The coach removed him from the regular lineup.
Fire someone (colloquial).
Remove a layer, cover, or skin.
Peel off a sticker, label, or thin layer.
シールを剥がしてください。
Please peel off the sticker.
Peel fruit or vegetables.
リンゴの皮を剥いて。
Peel the apple.
Remove completely, often used in literary or formal contexts.
English 'remove' is very broad. Using a single Japanese verb for all cases will sound unnatural. Always consider what is being removed and the context.
取る is general 'take off/out', 外す is for detaching something fitted, 脱ぐ is specifically for clothing. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
靴を脱いでください。
Please remove your shoes.
スマホからアプリを削除した。
I removed the app from my phone.
注文を取り消したいです。
I'd like to cancel the order.
You can remove ads with this app.
I forgot to remove my earrings.
He got fired from the company.
古いペンキを取り去る。
Remove the old paint.