Japanese word

灰

Pronunciation

Romajihai

Meaning

  • nounash

Example

木の灰を土に混ぜます。ki no hai o tsuchi ni ma ze ma su

I mix wood ash into the soil.

Illustration for 灰 (ash)

More examples

火事のあと、建物は灰になりました。ka ji no a to tate mono wa hai ni na ri ma shi ta

After the fire, the building turned to ash.

Core concept

Describes the fine material left when wood or another substance is burned.

Common phrases

  • 灰になるhai ni na ru

    turn to ash

  • 灰を集めるhai o atsu me ru

    collect ash

  • 灰を払うhai o hara u

    brush off ash

Definition in Japanese

物を燃やしたあとに残る、灰色の細かな粉末。mono o mo ya shi ta a to ni noko ru hai iro no koma ka na fun matsu

Word origin

The word 灰 (hai, "ash") is written with the character 灰, which entered Japanese from Chinese and carries the meaning "ash"; hai is its Japanese reading.

Usage tips

  • English often uses ash as an uncountable noun for burned material, while ashes commonly refers to the remains of a dead person or a fire.

Word lists with this word