Japanese word

塗装

Pronunciation

Romajitosō

Meaning

  • nounpainting

Example

壁を塗装します。kabe o to sō shi ma su

We paint the wall.

Illustration for 塗装 (painting)

More examples

家具の塗装を変えると、部屋の雰囲気も変わります。ka gu no to sō o ka e ru to heya no fun i ki mo ka wa ri ma su

Changing the paint on the furniture also changes the atmosphere of the room.

Core concept

Refers to applying a colored or protective layer over a surface as part of finishing or maintaining it.

Common phrases

  • 家具の塗装ka gu no to sō

    furniture paint

  • 木材の塗装moku zai no to sō

    wood coating

  • 塗装の色to sō no iro

    paint color

Similar words

コーティングkōtingu: Covering a surface with a layer that protects it or gives it a particular finish.
塗りnuri: Applying paint or a similar material to a surface as part of a finishing task.
塗布tofu: Spreading a liquid or other material over a surface in an even layer.

Definition in Japanese

建物や機械などの表面に塗料を施し、保護したり外観を整えたりすること。tate mono ya ki kai na do no hyō men ni to ryō o hodoko shi ho go shi ta ri gai kan o totono e ta ri su ru ko to

Word origin

塗装 (tosō) is a compound of 塗 (to, "to coat or paint") and 装 (sō, "to equip or adorn"), and the two characters express adding a finished outer layer.

Usage tips

  • The English word painting covers both artwork and surface work, whereas 塗装 (tosō) is used for practical work on things such as buildings, vehicles, and equipment.

Other meanings

  • coatingnoun

Related words

  • 塗装するtosōsurupaintverb

Word lists with this word