black ink, India ink, ink stick, Mexico

About this kanji

The kanji 墨 (すみ) primarily means 'ink,' especially black or India ink. This character typically serves as a noun. You can find it in compounds like 入れ墨 (いれずみ), which means 'tattoo,' often referring to traditional Japanese designs. Another example is 墨西哥 (メキシコ), which is the Japanese name for 'Mexico.' Additionally, 水墨画 (すいぼくが) translates to 'India-ink painting,' a beautiful art form using this ink. A useful expression is お墨付き (おすみつき), meaning 'certificate' or 'endorsement.' Keep in mind that while 墨 relates to ink, it also connects to traditions and artistic practices in Japanese culture.

Example sentences

• 墨で書いた字は力強い。

  Characters written in ink are powerful.

Meanings across languages

English

black ink, India ink, ink stick, Mexico

Tiếng Việt

mực đen

日本語

墨

한국어

먹

中文

墨

id

tinta hitam, tinta India, batang tinta, Meksiko

th

หมึกดำ, หมึกอินเดีย, แท่งหมึก, เม็กซิโก

es

tinta negra, tinta india, tinta en barra, México

fr

encre noire, encre indienne, bâton d'encre, Mexique

de

schwarze Tinte, Indertinte, Tintenstick, Mexiko

pt

tinta preta, tinta da Índia, caneta de tinta, México

Common compounds

• 入れ墨いれずみtattoo (esp. a traditional Japanese one), tattooing
• 墨西哥メキシコMexico
• 水墨画すいぼくがIndia-ink painting, ink wash painting
• お墨付きおすみつきcertificate, certified document, authorization
• 墨絵すみえink painting
• 墨書ぼくしょwriting in India ink
• 翰墨かんぼくbrush and ink, writing, drawing
• 靴墨くつずみshoe polish

Words using this kanji