Translation guide
A layer or covering applied to a surface for protection, decoration, or function.
A thin layer of paint, varnish, plastic, or other material applied to a surface.
General term for a coating applied by painting or spraying, often for protection or decoration.
車の塗装が剥がれてきた。
The car's coating is peeling off.
Loanword from English, widely used for modern protective coatings (e.g., on cars, cookware, screens).
スマホにコーティングを施した。
I applied a coating to my smartphone.
Thin film or membrane-like coating, often used in technical or scientific contexts.
金属表面に保護被膜を形成する。
A protective coating forms on the metal surface.
Similar to 被膜, but can also refer to natural films or skins; less common for artificial coatings.
この塗料は薄い皮膜を作る。
This paint forms a thin coating.
A layer of batter, chocolate, sugar, or other edible substance covering food.
Specifically for batter or breading on fried foods like tempura.
天ぷらの衣がサクサクだ。
The tempura coating is crispy.
Also used for food coatings, especially chocolate or candy coatings.
Loanword for a thin, glossy coating like a sugar glaze on pastries.
ドーナツにグレーズがかかっている。
The donut has a glaze coating.
A thin, often natural or unintended layer of a substance.
Thin layer or film, can be liquid, solid, or even metaphorical.
水面に油の膜ができている。
There's a coating of oil on the water.
Layer or stratum, used for thicker or more distinct coatings.
道路に氷の層ができた。
A coating of ice formed on the road.
Covering or sheathing, often used in technical contexts for protective coatings.
塗装 (tosō) implies painting or spraying, often for larger surfaces like cars or walls. コーティング (kōtingu) is a modern loanword used for thin, high-tech or food coatings. In many everyday contexts, コーティング is more natural for protective layers on gadgets or cookware.
While コーティング is common, using it for traditional Japanese crafts or tempura batter may sound odd. Use 塗装 for paint-like coatings and 衣 for food batter.
a chocolate-coated donut
The coating on the wire is deteriorating.