Meaning
The kanji 抹 (マツ) chiefly means wiping, erasing, rubbing, smearing, or applying something in a thin layer. It describes an action of removal or application on a surface. This suggests a movement across a surface with the hand or a tool, either to clean, obliterate, or spread. It often implies a thorough or complete action, whether it's wiping something until it's gone or grinding it into a fine powder.
Etymologically, 抹 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-hand radical is 扌 (てへん - tehen), the hand radical, indicating an action performed with the hand. This immediately signals that the kanji relates to some form of manual manipulation. The right-hand component, 末 (まつ), functions as the phonetic element, giving the kanji its "matsu" reading. It also contributes to the meaning: 末 originally depicted a tree with an emphasis on its topmost branches or a tip, signifying "end" or "extremity."
In the context of 抹, this could metaphorically suggest reaching the end of something, such as wiping it until nothing remains. It also relates to reducing something to fine particles, like in powdered tea (抹茶 - matcha). The visual shape effectively illustrates its meaning: a hand (扌) performing an action that leads to an "end" (末). This can be interpreted as either wiping something away completely or grinding it into a fine powder. It’s a versatile kanji used for both removal and application.
This kanji is part of the N1 level of the JLPT, reflecting its advanced usage in a variety of complex compounds. It consists of 8 strokes and is not assigned a specific grade level, as it falls outside the common Kyoiku Kanji list. Nevertheless, it is frequently encountered in advanced Japanese texts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 抹 is マツ (MATSU), which is derived from its historical Chinese pronunciation. This reading is almost exclusively used when 抹 forms part of a compound word, rather than as a standalone word.
抹消 (masshou) — deletion, cancellation, effacement. This compound is often used in administrative or digital contexts to describe the official removal of records or data.
記録を抹消する (kiroku o masshou suru) — to delete a record.
登録を抹消する (touroku o masshou suru) — to cancel a registration.
抹殺 (massatsu) — obliteration, destruction, complete denial. This term carries a stronger sense of violent or thorough annihilation, often of ideas, reputations, or facts.
事実を抹殺する (jijitsu o massatsu suru) — to obliterate facts.
人格を抹殺する (jinkaku o massatsu suru) — to destroy someone's character.
抹茶 (matcha) — powdered green tea. This is a very common word. It refers to the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, used in Japanese tea ceremony and cuisine.
抹茶を点てる (matcha o tateru) — to prepare matcha tea.
抹茶ラテ (matcha rate) — matcha latte.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 抹 does not have any commonly used Kun'yomi when standing alone as a verb or adjective in modern Japanese. Its usage is almost exclusively confined to compounds where it takes on its On'yomi. This is typical for many N1 level kanji that often serve as building blocks for more complex vocabulary rather than independent words in native Japanese contexts. While there might be very rare or archaic instances of Kun'yomi in specialized texts, for practical learning, it's safe to assume it primarily functions with its On'yomi.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 抹 appears in various compounds, reflecting its diverse applications from literal actions to more abstract concepts. Here are several key examples, categorized for clarity:
Action-Related Compounds
塗抹 (tomatsu) — smearing, painting. It often refers to applying something thinly, like ointment or paint.
抹薬 (matsuyaku) — powdered medicine. This refers to medication that has been ground into a fine powder for consumption or application.
抹香 (makkou) — powdered incense. It is commonly used in Buddhist ceremonies, often burned as an offering.
Abstract & Conceptual Compounds
一抹 (ichimatsu) — a trace, a touch (of something). It describes a slight hint or a touch of a feeling, color, or other intangible quality.
全抹消 (zenmasshou) — complete deletion/erasure. An intensified version of 抹消, implying total and thorough removal.
抹消登録 (masshou touroku) — cancellation of registration. A formal administrative term for deregistering something, such as a vehicle, property, or a company.
抹消線 (masshousen) — strike-through line. A line drawn through text to indicate its deletion or invalidation without making it entirely unreadable, often used in corrections.
Culture & Daily Life
抹茶道 (matchadou) — the way of matcha; the art of the tea ceremony specifically involving matcha.
抹茶味 (matchaaji) — matcha flavor. Often found in a wide variety of Japanese snacks, desserts, ice cream, and beverages, denoting a distinct green tea taste.
Specialized & Historical Compounds
- 抹額 (hachigaku) — a forehead cloth or headband (historical term). The reading is atypical (a special Kun'yomi applied to what appears to be an On'yomi compound). It literally means "wiping forehead" or "forehead covering," and refers to a cloth worn on the forehead.
Example Sentences
重要なデータなので、間違って抹消しないように注意してください。
Jūyō na dēta nanode, machigatte masshou shinai yō ni chūi shite kudasai.
This is important data, so please be careful not to accidentally erase it.
彼は自分の過去を抹殺したがっていたが、それは不可能だった。
Kare wa jibun no kako o massatsu shitagatte ita ga, sore wa fukanō datta.
He wanted to obliterate his past, but it was impossible.
日本の伝統的な飲み物である抹茶は、世界中で人気がある。
Nihon no dentōteki na nomimono de aru matcha wa, sekaijū de ninki ga aru.
Matcha, a traditional Japanese drink, is popular all over the world.
書類の誤記を抹消線で訂正した。
Shorui no goki o masshousen de teisei shita.
I corrected the error in the document with a strike-through line.
彼女の顔には、一抹の不安が浮かんでいた。
Kanojo no kao ni wa, ichimatsu no fuan ga ukande ita.
A trace of anxiety floated on her face.
古い帳簿の不要な項目は順次、抹消されていった。
Furui chōbo no fuyō na kōmoku wa junji, masshou sarete itta.
Unnecessary entries in the old ledger were progressively deleted.
抹茶アイスクリームは、外国人観光客にも人気のお土産です。
Matcha aisukurīmu wa, gaikokujin kankōkyaku ni mo ninki no omiyage desu.
Matcha ice cream is a popular souvenir even among foreign tourists.
長年の努力が、一瞬にして抹殺されるような出来事だった。
Naganen no doryoku ga, isshun ni shite massatsu sareru yō na dekigoto datta.
It was an event where many years of effort were obliterated in an instant.
顔に塗抹するクリームは、肌に優しい成分のものを選びましょう。
Kao ni tomatsu suru kurīmu wa, hada ni yasashii seibun no mono o erabimashō.
When applying cream to your face, choose one with gentle ingredients.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 抹 (マツ), focus on its two main components. The left part is 扌 (てへん - tehen), the hand radical, which clearly indicates an action performed with the hand. Think of physically wiping, rubbing, or smearing. The right part is 末 (まつ), which means "end" or "tip," and also serves as the phonetic component giving the "matsu" reading. You can imagine a hand (扌) wiping something away until it reaches its "end" (末), signifying complete erasure or deletion. Alternatively, think of a hand (扌) grinding something down to a fine "tip" or "end" state, like making powdered tea (抹茶 - matcha). This combination effectively illustrates a manual action that results in removing or refining a substance.