塗る|ぬるnuru[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto paint; to spread; to plaster; to apply (cream, lotion); to smear; to lacquer; to varnish; to put up (wallpaper)
    ジョンがドアにペンキを塗ぬっていた。↗
    John has been painting the door.
Conjugation
Dictionary form塗る(ぬる)
Polite (masu)塗ります(ぬります)
Negative (nai)塗らない(ぬらない)
polite (masen)塗りません(ぬりません)
classical zu / nu塗らず・塗らぬ(ぬらず・ぬらぬ)
Past (ta)塗った(ぬった)
polite (mashita)塗りました(ぬりました)
Past negative (nakatta)塗らなかった(ぬらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)塗りませんでした(ぬりませんでした)
Te form塗って(ぬって)
Potential塗れる(ぬれる)
Passive塗られる(ぬられる)
Causative塗らせる(ぬらせる)
Causative passive塗らせられる・塗らされる(ぬらせられる・ぬらされる)
Conditional (ba)塗れば(ぬれば)
tara塗ったら(ぬったら)
Volitional塗ろう(ぬろう)
polite (mashou)塗りましょう(ぬりましょう)
Imperative塗れ(ぬれ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym彩るいろどるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Adorns with color, also used figuratively for embellishing, as in 「花が食卓を彩る」; carries an aesthetic nuance.
  • Synonym着色ちゃくしょくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Coloring an item, often for food additives or technical use, as in 「着色料」.
  • Synonym塗布とふWrittenWritten/formal prose. Applies medicine or coating to a surface, mostly in medical instructions, as in 「患部に塗布する」.
  • Synonym塗りつけるぬりつけるCasualColloquial. Smears something onto a surface, stressing the act of spreading it on; also figuratively shifts blame onto someone, as in 「責任を塗りつける」.
  • RelatedつけるNeutralNeutral. A very broad verb for attaching or sticking things on, as in 「薬をつける」「バターをつける」; 「塗る」 is the specific word for spreading or painting.
  • Related塗装とそうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Painting or spray-coating a surface, as in 「車の塗装」; mostly used in industrial and construction contexts.
  • Related施すほどこすWrittenWritten/formal prose. Applies decoration, treatment or makeup, as in 「化粧を施す」「加工を施す」; more formal than 「塗る」.
  • Related色付けいろづけNeutralNeutral. Adding color to something, as in 「料理の色付け」; the focus is on adding color rather than spreading a substance.
  • AntonymはがすNeutralNeutral. The opposite of 「塗る」: peels off something stuck or coated on a surface, as in 「シールを剥がす」.
  • Antonym拭くふくNeutralNeutral. The opposite of 「塗る」: wipes something off a surface with a cloth, as in 「テーブルを拭く」.

「塗る」 is the default for spreading or applying cream, paint or paste. Use 「塗りつける」 to smear onto a surface (or shift blame), 「塗布」 for medical application, 「塗装」 for spray-painting, 「色付け」/「着色」 for adding color, 「剥がす」/「拭く」 to remove it.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. まみる
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android