1.
ash, ashes
The powdery residue left after burning.
灰を捨てる。
To dispose of ashes.
紙が燃えて灰になった。
The paper burned and turned to ash.
たばこの灰を灰皿に落とした。
I tapped the cigarette ash into the ashtray.
火山が噴火して、町に火山灰が降り積もった。
The volcano erupted, and volcanic ash piled up on the town.
火山灰 uses the reading ばい for 灰.
キャンプで焚き火をした後、残った灰をきちんと片付けてから帰るようにしている。
After having a campfire, I make sure to clean up the leftover ashes properly before heading home.
灰 refers to the powdery residue left after burning.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 灰を捨てる: to dispose of ashes
- 灰になる: to turn to ash, to be destroyed
- 灰にする: to reduce to ashes
COMPOUNDS:
- 灰皿: ashtray
- 灰色: gray (ash color)
- 火山灰: volcanic ash
- 石灰: lime (calcium oxide)
- 遺灰: cremated remains, ashes
KANJI NOTE:
The reading changes in compounds: 灰 alone, but often ~灰 in compounds (e.g., 火山灰).