塗(ぬ)る

ぬる
verb (godan)
to paint, to apply
1. to paint, to coat
To apply paint, varnish, or other coating to a surface.
壁(かべ)を白(しろ)く塗(ぬ)る。
Paint the wall white.
爪(つめ)に赤(あか)いマニキュアを塗(ぬ)った。
I painted my nails with red nail polish.
週末(しゅうまつ)に家(いえ)の壁(かべ)にペンキを塗(ぬ)り直(なお)した。
I repainted the walls of the house over the weekend.
塗(ぬ)り直(なお)す = to repaint
2. to apply, to spread
To spread cream, butter, ointment, or similar substances on a surface.
パンにバターを塗(ぬ)る。
Spread butter on bread.
に marks the surface
日焼(ひや)け止(ど)めを塗(ぬ)ってください。
Please apply sunscreen.
傷(きず)に薬(くすり)を塗(ぬ)ってから包帯(ほうたい)を巻(ま)いた。
I applied medicine to the wound and then wrapped it with a bandage.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pattern: Xを塗(ぬ)る (paint X) / XにYを塗(ぬ)る (apply Y to X).

ASPECT: ている indicates completed state. 塗(ぬ)っている = 'is painted' or 'is applying.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 壁(かべ)を塗(ぬ)る (paint a wall)
  • ペンキを塗(ぬ)る (apply paint)
  • バターを塗(ぬ)る (spread butter)
  • 薬(くすり)を塗(ぬ)る (apply medicine/ointment)
  • 口紅(くちべに)を塗(ぬ)る (apply lipstick)
  • 塗(ぬ)り直(なお)す (repaint)

RELATED:

  • 塗料(とりょう) (paint, coating material)
  • 塗(ぬ)り絵(え) (coloring book picture)
general
Added 2026.1.8 21:27 · Revised 2026.3.6 9:35
01000/01174_nuru