抹
rub, paint, erase
Readings
On'yomi
- マツ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
抹 centers on applying something to a surface and then spreading or removing it: rubbing on paint, smearing, or wiping away until erased.
Most common words using 抹
- 抹茶まっちゃ
matcha; powdered green tea
- 抹消まっしょうN1
erasure; striking off; crossing out; cancellation; deletion
- 抹殺まっさつ
erasure; obliteration
- 一抹いちまつ
a touch (of sadness, unease, etc.); a tinge (of); a hint (of); a wreath (of smoke, cloud, etc.)
- 抹香鯨まっこうくじら
sperm whale
- 塗抹とまつ
smear; daub; coating over
- 小川小抹香おがわこまっこう
dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima)
- 小抹香こまっこう
pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)
- 抹消登録証明書まっしょうとうろくしょうめいしょ
proof of vehicle having been registered as disposed of
- 抹茶アイスクリームまっちゃアイスクリーム
green tea ice cream
- 抹茶味まっちゃあじ
matcha flavor
- 抹茶塩まっちゃじお
matcha salt; salt mixed with powdered green tea
- 抹茶色まっちゃいろ
soft yellow-green; subdued pea green; tea green
- 抹額まっこう
red headband (worn by lower rank officers)
- 抹香まっこう
incense; incense powder
- 抹香臭いまっこうくさい
smelling of incense; overly pious
- 登録抹消とうろくまっしょう
deregistration; cancellation of registration
Study
Etymology
抹 combines 扌 (hand) with 末, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of an end or tip, suggesting a hand wiping something away to its end.
Meaning mnemonic
A hand 扌 beside 末 (end/tip) suggests using your hand to rub something until it's gone—painting, smearing, or erasing.
Reading mnemonic
For マツ, imagine rubbing a mat clean: mat -> マツ, and your hand erases the dirt.