Word
塗る
Meaning in Englishpaint, spread, apply
Animated kanji stroke order
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)