粘土
also: へなつち · へな
Meanings
1
Refers to the natural earthy material used in pottery, sculpture, and construction. The reading ねんど is standard; ねばつち, へなつち, and へな are rare or archaic.
The children made animal shapes out of clay.
The soil in this area is clayey.
Usage patterns
- 粘土をこねるto knead/work clay
The children kneaded clay and shaped it into animals.
- 粘土で〈物〉を作るto make something out of clay
In art class, I made a vase out of clay.
- 粘土が乾くfor clay to dry/harden
Once the clay dries, it becomes hard.
Expressions
- 粘土層clay layer; clay stratum