Japanese word

墨

Pronunciation

Romajisumi

Meaning

  • nounink

Example

書道で墨を使います。sho dō de sumi o tsuka i ma su

We use ink in calligraphy.

Illustration for 墨 (ink)

More examples

水を加えて墨の濃さを調整します。mizu o kuwa e te sumi no ko sa o chō sei shi ma su

I adjust the thickness of the ink by adding water.

Core concept

Centers on a dark ink medium that exists as a solid stick or as liquid ink for calligraphy and painting.

Common phrases

  • 墨をするsumi o su ru

    grind ink

  • 墨の濃さsumi no ko sa

    ink density

Similar words

墨汁bokujū: Ready-to-use liquid ink for calligraphy, made from a solid ink stick or related pigments.

Definition in Japanese

すすを膠で練り固めた固形のものや、それを水で磨って用いる黒い書画用の液体。su su o nikawa de ne ri kata me ta ko kei no mo no ya so re o mizu de su tte mochi i ru kuro i sho ga yō no eki tai

Word origin

The Japanese word 墨 (sumi, "ink") is a native Japanese term, while its written form comes from the Chinese character 墨 (boku, "ink"), adopted through Chinese writing.

Usage tips

  • India ink is not a direct translation of 墨 (sumi, "ink"): it is an English term for a usually black, often waterproof ink, while traditional 墨 is commonly supplied as a solid stick.

Other meanings

  • ink sticknoun
  • India inknoun

Word lists with this word