Mnemonic
A violent storm dumps an excess of colored mud across the earth. You scoop up handfuls of this vibrant sludge and paint enormous murals on every wall you see, smearing thick layers of storm-born earth pigment everywhere until nothing is left uncovered.
Additional thoughts
Picture the storm churning soil into a colorful slurry—the excess puddles give you unlimited free paint made straight from the earth. The messier you imagine it, the better it sticks.Quick recall
A storm leaves excess mud on the earth, which you use to paint everything in sight.Details
The keyword for 塗 is paint. This kanji refers to the act of applying a coating or layer of substance onto a surface, such as painting, plastering, or smearing. It encompasses not just decorative painting but any form of spreading or daubing a material—like lacquer, ointment, or mud—over something. By extension, it can also convey the idea of covering up or obscuring something beneath a layer.
- On'yomi
- と
- Kun'yomi
- ぬ.る、ぬ.り、まみ.れる