ガッシュ
gasshu
The English word 'gouache' is translated into Japanese as ガッシュ (gasshu).
Meaning: paint (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is gasshu.
Did you know?
- If you ask for 'gouache' in a traditional Japanese art shop, staff might assume you are looking for ポスターカラー (posutā korā), which refers to the more student-grade, matte acrylic-based versions used in schools.
- While ガッシュ is the direct loanword for 'gouache', Japanese artists often use the term 不透明水彩 which literally means 'opaque watercolor'.
- In Japanese art contexts, the katakana word ガッシュ is almost exclusively used to refer to the Western medium, distinguishing it from traditional Japanese water-based paints.
Examples in context
- ガッシュで風景を描きました。gasshu de fuukei o kakimashita.I painted a landscape with gouache.
- このガッシュは発色がとても良いです。kono gasshu wa hasshoku ga totemo yoi desu.This gouache has very good color vibrancy.
- 新しいガッシュを買いに行きます。atarashii gasshu o kai ni ikimasu.I am going to buy new gouache.
Example conversation
陽葵 is showing her art supplies to 陽太 at home.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、そのガッシュはどこで買ったの？Himari, sono gasshu wa doko de katta no?Himari, where did you buy that gouache?
- 陽葵 Himari近くの画材屋で買ったよ。Chikaku no gazai-ya de katta yo.I bought it at a nearby art store.
- 陽太 Yota色がすごく綺麗だね。Iro ga sugoku kirei dane.The colors are really beautiful.
- 陽葵 Himariガッシュは使いやすくておすすめだよ。Gasshu wa tsukaiyasukute osusume dayo.Gouache is easy to use, so I recommend it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gouache” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
