Meet 塗 in everyday actions and in words for paint and coating.
The idea
塗 has 13 strokes; use the linked diagram. 塗る（ぬる） means to spread or apply a substance over a surface. 塗装（とそう） is coating or painting, and 塗料（とりょう） is paint.
| Japanese word | Reading |
|---|---|
| 塗る | ぬる |
| 塗装 | とそう |
| 塗料 | とりょう |
Examples
- 壁を白く塗りました。I painted the wall white.
- パンにバターを塗ってください。Please spread butter on the bread.
- 顔に日焼け止めを塗りました。I put sunscreen on my face.
- ベンチは塗ったばかりです。The bench has just been painted.
- 車を塗装し直す必要があります。The car needs to be repainted.
- 塗料はまだ乾いていません。The paint is not dry yet.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
塗る applies a substance to a surface; 描く means to draw or depict a picture. Do not confuse 塗 with 余, which lacks its water and soil components.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 塗る in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
ぬる
塗る is ぬる: for example, apply butter to bread. Learn the reading with the whole verb.
Write the reading of 塗装 in hiragana.
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とそう
塗装 is とそう, as in repainting a car. The compound uses the reading と.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿料（とりょう）［塗／余］.
Show answer or example answer
塗
塗 completes 塗料（とりょう）, meaning paint or coating material.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 塗る in hiragana.
Write the reading of 塗装 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿料（とりょう）［塗／余］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 塗 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 塗る and 塗装, then make a sentence using one.