How to say "wax" in Japanese

• ろうCommon
  nounThe material itself — wax as a substance. The gloss is simply "wax", and the word is common, though it is usually written in kana rather than with kanji.
• ワックスCommon
  nounWax specifically for polishing, as on floors, cars, or skis. The loanword is common and is the natural choice when the wax is something you apply and buff.
  その車くるまは１日にちおきにワックスがかけられる。↗

  The car is waxed every other day.
• 満ちるみちるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbThe verb "to wax" of the moon, i.e. to grow fuller. This is a completely different sense from the substance, so it is not a substitute for ろう or ワックス.

Use 「ろう」 for wax as a substance, 「ワックス」 for wax used in polishing, and 「満ちる」 only for the verb sense of the moon waxing.

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

• ろうwax
• ワックスwax (esp. for polishing)
• 満ちるみちるto wax (of the moon)
• 満つみつto wax (e.g. moon)
• 引くひくto apply (e.g. lipstick)