How to say "enamel" in Japanese

• エナメルCommon
  nounThe common loanword for enamel as a glossy coating or finish, as on bags and shoes; for everyday references to enamel surfaces this is usually the word you want.
• ほうろう
  nounEnamel in the sense of the glassy coating fused onto metal, and by extension the coated metalware itself, such as sinks and pots; less common, and usually written in kana alone.
• 釉薬うわぐすり
  nounA ceramics term, less common, really meaning glaze — the glassy coating applied to pottery; its 'enamel' sense is that same glaze, so it is seldom the word for enamel outside pottery.

Use 「エナメル」 for the common loanword sense of enamel as a glossy finish, 「ほうろう」 for vitreous enamel on metal and enamelled pots or sinks, and 釉薬 only for the glaze on ceramics.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• エナメルenamel
• ほうろうenamel
• 釉薬うわぐすりglaze
• エナメル質エナメルしつ(tooth) enamel
• 琺瑯質ほうろうしつ(tooth) enamel