かす

か

す

Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

General term for solid residue left after extracting liquid, such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, or sediment in a liquid.

lees; sake lees

usually written using kana alone

Specifically the solid residue left after pressing sake or other fermented beverages. Often written as 粕 in this context.

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use for something left over after the useful part has been taken, often implying it is of little value.

usually written using kana alone

Derogatory term for something or someone considered worthless, the lowest of the low. Sense 5 is a specific figurative extension to people.

usually written using kana alonehanafuda

In hanafuda, a card worth only 1 point, considered the lowest value. Often called カス札.

〈物もの〉のかすを取とり除のぞくto remove the dregs/grounds from something
コーヒーのかすを取とり除のぞいてから飲のんだ。
I removed the coffee grounds before drinking it.
かすがたまるfor dregs/sediment to build up
急きゅう須すの底そこにお茶ちゃのかすがたまっている。
Tea leaves have accumulated at the bottom of the teapot.
社しゃ会かいのかすthe dregs/scum of society
あんなことをする奴やつは社しゃ会かいのかすだ。
Someone who does that is the scum of society.

澱おり sense 1
澱 is a more formal or technical word for sediment in liquids like wine, while かす is the everyday general term for dregs or grounds.
酒さけ粕かす sense 2
酒粕 specifically names the solid lees left over from pressing sake, whereas かす is the broader word that can refer to sake lees or many other kinds of residue.
くずN2sense 4
屑 means scraps or trash and is used for discarded bits of material or worthless people, much like かす's figurative sense of dregs or junk.
ごみN5sense 4
ゴミ is the general word for garbage or trash, while かす specifically implies a leftover residue or the worthless remainder of something.
残ざん渣さ
かす is the everyday word for dregs or lees, while 残渣 is a formal or technical term used in scientific and industrial contexts.

かすUsage22%
The word is usually written in kana. Kanji forms exist but are less common.
カスUsage60%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
粕かすUsage9%
Often used specifically for sake lees or brewing sediment.
滓かすUsage6%
Rare kanji form for dregs or sediment.
糟かすUsage2%
Rare kanji form for dregs or sediment.

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb かす (to lend) in the sense of something left behind, but this is speculative.