さす

さ

す

Common word

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

pour; add liquid; serve drinks

usually written using kana alone

Pouring or adding a liquid, often into a container or for someone. Commonly used for serving tea, sake, or adding water/soy sauce.

Written forms

注さす
Primary kanji form for pouring, adding liquid, or serving drinks. Marked as high priority.
さすUsage100%
Usually written in kana; practical for both senses.
点さす
Used especially for applying or dabbing on cosmetics, lipstick, or color. Less common overall.

Kanji

注pour, irrigate, shed (tears)
点spot, point, mark

Similar words

差さす
A homophonous verb with many meanings including 'to raise (an umbrella)', 'to shine (light)', 'to offer (sake)', and 'to feel (a surge of emotion)'. 注す/点す is more limited to pouring or applying.
注そそぐ
Also means 'to pour', but 注ぐ is more common and general. 注す often implies a smaller amount or a more deliberate act, and is usually written in kana.

Etymology

The reading さす is shared with many homophonous verbs. The kanji 注 is associated with pouring, and 点 with dotting or applying a small amount. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.