Translation guide
India ink is a black ink used in drawing, calligraphy, and printing. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 墨 (sumi), which refers to the solid ink stick used in East Asian calligraphy and painting, as well as the liquid ink made from it.
The learner wants to refer to the black ink used in East Asian brush painting, calligraphy, or drawing, typically made from soot and glue.
The learner wants to refer to India ink as used in Western-style pen-and-ink drawing, technical pens, or comics, often waterproof and dense.
Literally 'drafting ink', this is the common term for waterproof black ink used in technical drawing and pens. It is the closest equivalent to Western India ink in a non-calligraphy context.
製図用インクで線を引きます。
I draw lines with India ink.
墨 (sumi) is the traditional ink stick and the general term for India ink in calligraphy and sumi-e. 墨汁 (bokujū) is the bottled liquid version, commonly used in schools. 製図用インク (seizuyō inku) is specifically for drafting and technical pens, and is the best term for Western-style India ink.
墨 implies traditional East Asian ink. For generic black ink (e.g., for fountain pens or printers), use 黒インク (kuro inku). Only use 墨 or related terms when you specifically mean India ink or sumi ink.
I grind ink and practice calligraphy.
この絵は墨で描かれています。
This picture is drawn with India ink.
Specifically refers to liquid India ink, often pre-mixed and used in schools or for convenience. It is the bottled liquid form, as opposed to the solid ink stick.
学校で墨汁を使います。
We use liquid India ink at school.
A technical term for carbon black ink, which is essentially India ink. Used in industrial or artistic contexts where the specific pigment is emphasized.
このプリンターはカーボンブラックインクを使用しています。
This printer uses carbon black ink.
A compound word combining 'sumi' and 'ink', sometimes used to specify India ink in artistic contexts, especially when distinguishing from other black inks.
この墨インクは耐水性があります。
This India ink is waterproof.
A direct loanword from English. Recognizable but less common than native terms; may be used in art supply stores or by enthusiasts.
インディアインクを買いたいです。
I want to buy India ink.