塗
塗·paint, coat
- On-yomi
- ト
- Kun-yomi
- ぬ(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 塗る | ぬる | to paint, apply |
| 塗料 | とりょう | paint (material) |
| 塗装 | とそう | coating, paintwork |
| 塗り薬 | ぬりぐすり | ointment |
Example sentences
パンにバターを塗りました。
ぱんにばたーをぬりました。
I spread butter on the bread.
壁を白いペンキで塗り直した。
かべをしろいぺんきでぬりなおした。
I repainted the wall with white paint.
この塗料は水に強いそうです。
このとりょうはみずにつよいそうです。
They say this paint stands up well to water.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 塗料 as *ぬりょう instead of とりょう
- Using 塗る for writing on paper — writing is 書く; 塗る is spreading a layer over a surface
Memory aid
Picture it
Earth (土) spread under a roof-and-余 shape — smearing a paste flat across a surface.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 塗 mean?