灰
Meanings
1
Refers to the powdery residue left after something burns. Used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Cigarette ash fell.
Volcanic ash covered the town.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を灰にするto burn something to ashes
The forest fire reduced everything to ashes.
- 灰をかぶるto be covered in ash (e.g. from a volcanic eruption)
The whole town was covered in ash from the eruption.
- 〈物〉の灰を落とすto tap the ash off (e.g. a cigarette)
He tapped the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray.
Expressions
- 灰になるbe reduced to ashes; be cremated