塗る
Meaning in Englishpaint, spread, apply
Animated kanji stroke order
Related sentences
Related sentences
There are no published items in this section yet.
Word context
What it means
塗る means to apply a coating to a surface by laying down a layer of liquid or paste, including paint or varnish on a wall or furniture, and other substances that create a surface layer.
Main meanings
- to apply a coating such as paint, varnish, lacquer, or plaster to a surface
- to spread cosmetic products or medicinal ointments on the skin
- to smear or cover a surface by applying a layer, or to metaphorically conceal something by coating it
How to use it
used across formal and casual speech; with direct object marker を for painting surfaces, に for applying coatings to body parts or objects, and in contexts involving cosmetics and medicines where a substance is spread on skin or surfaces.
Variants and close terms
- コーティングする (koutingusuru) — to coat
- 塗装する (tosō suru) — to paint/varnish
- 塗り替える (nurikaeru) — to repaint or cover by painting over
- 剥がす (hagasu) — to peel off, the opposite action
Composition
- 塗 combines 土 earth on the left with a right-side component suggesting spreading; together they convey applying a coating to a surface
Etymology
kun'yomi ぬる; on'yomi と in compounds like 塗装 (tosō).
Origin
ancient coating practices in japan date back to early lacquerware and wall painting traditions; the concept of applying a layer to a surface has long been part of japanese craft and daily life.
Word class
verb (godan)