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 standard word for India ink in the context of Japanese calligraphy (書道) and sumi-e (墨絵) painting. It can refer to both the solid ink stick and the liquid ink.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This printer uses carbon black ink.
I draw lines with India ink.
A compound word combining 'sumi' and 'ink', sometimes used to specify India ink in artistic contexts, especially when distinguishing from other black inks.
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.
I want to buy India ink.