墨
Meanings
India ink; Chinese ink; ink stick
Refers to the solid ink stick used in calligraphy and painting, or the liquid ink made from it. Also used for the ink itself in general contexts.
I ground an ink stick in calligraphy class.
This ink stick has a very nice fragrance.
squid ink; octopus ink
Commonly used for the dark ink released by squid and octopus, especially in cooking contexts.
I like squid ink pasta.
carpenter's inking string
Refers to the ink-soaked string used in traditional carpentry for marking straight lines; often part of the tool 墨壺 (すみつぼ).
See also: 墨縄 (すみなわ)
The carpenter marked a line on the lumber using an inking string.
Usage patterns
- 墨を磨るto grind an ink stick (to make ink)
In calligraphy class, we grind the ink stick.
- イカが墨を吐くfor a squid to squirt ink
When startled, a squid squirts ink and flees.
- 墨を打つto snap an inked line (in carpentry)
The carpenter snapped an inked line on the timber to draw a straight line.
- 墨で書くto write with ink
In calligraphy, you write characters with a brush and ink.
Expressions
- 雪と墨diametric opposites; night and day; black and white
- イカの墨squid ink
- 墨に染まれば黒くなるpeople are shaped by their environment; walk with the wise and become wise
- 墨は餓鬼に磨らせ、筆は鬼に持たせよgrind your inkstick gently but move your brush vigorously