The Meaning of nuru [塗る] In Japanese

塗る
ぬる
Romaji: nuru N5

What does 塗る mean?

Translation and Meaning

to paint, to coat, to apply (cosmetics or ointment)

Definition

塗る means to apply a coating to a surface by laying down a layer of liquid or paste, including paint or varnish on a wall or furniture, and other substances that create a surface layer.

Type

verb (godan)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to apply a coating such as paint, varnish, lacquer, or plaster to a surface
  • to spread cosmetic products or medicinal ointments on the skin
  • to smear or cover a surface by applying a layer, or to metaphorically conceal something by coating it

Etymology

kun’yomi ぬる; on’yomi と in compounds like 塗装 (tosō).

Origin

ancient coating practices in japan date back to early lacquerware and wall painting traditions; the concept of applying a layer to a surface has long been part of japanese craft and daily life.

Composition

  • 塗 combines 土 earth on the left with a right-side component suggesting spreading; together they convey applying a coating to a surface

Usage

used across formal and casual speech; with direct object marker を for painting surfaces, に for applying coatings to body parts or objects, and in contexts involving cosmetics and medicines where a substance is spread on skin or surfaces.
💡 Tips
mnemonic: imagine brushing a coat of earth or mud across a surface; the 土 radical on the left hints at laying down a layer, helping you remember that 塗る is about applying a coating.

Variations

  • コーティングする (koutingusuru) — to coat
  • 塗装する (tosō suru) — to paint/varnish
  • 塗り替える (nurikaeru) — to repaint or cover by painting over
  • 剥がす (hagasu) — to peel off, the opposite action

Example Phrases

  • 朝食のパンに 薄く バターを 塗る のが 好きだ。
    Choushoku no pan ni usuku batā o nuru no ga suki da.
    I like spreading butter thinly on my breakfast bread.
    Lista:
    • 朝食のパンに (Choushoku no pan ni) – onto the breakfast bread
    • 薄く (usuku) – thinly
    • バターを (bataa o) – butter (object marker)
    • 塗る (nuru) – to spread
    • のが (no ga) – the fact that
    • 好きだ (suki da) – like
    塗る marks the action; in this sentence, バターを「塗る」 uses を to mark the object; 「のが」 nominalizes the preceding verb clause and links to 好きだ.
塗る