インク
inku[ĩŋkɯ̟]
The English word "ink" is translated into Japanese as インク (inku). Wiktionary also lists 墨 (sumi) and インキ (inki).
Meaning: coloured fluid used for writing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| インク | inku | [ĩŋkɯ̟] (narrow) | |
| 墨 | sumi | [sɨmʲi] (narrow) | |
| インキ | inki | [ĩŋʲkʲi] (narrow) | obsolete |
The katakana form インク is the standard way to refer to modern printing or writing ink used in pens and printers.
Which one should you use?
While インク refers to modern liquid ink (like in a pen), 墨 refers specifically to traditional Japanese black ink used for calligraphy or sumi-e painting. The form インキ is an obsolete version of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
inku
Did you know?
- The ancient root of the Dutch-derived インキ comes from the Greek word 'énkauston', which means 'burned-in'.
- In traditional calligraphy, 墨 is not a liquid in a bottle but is often a solid ink stick that must be rubbed on a stone with water.
- Traditional 墨 is often made from 煤, which is 'soot' collected from burning pine wood.
Examples in context
- 彼女はインクで書いた。She wrote in ink.This sentence is useful for showing how to say someone wrote using the form インク.Tatoeba #226251 by arnab, translation #63591 by CK
- 顔にインクが付いてるよ。You have some ink on your face.This sentence is useful for describing ink being on someone's face using the form インク.Tatoeba #10550213 by small_snow, translation #10549662 by CK
- このインクが一番いいね。This ink is the best.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for a specific ink using the form インク.Tatoeba #11064161 by small_snow, translation #2898087 by AlanF_US
- 私は書道で使う墨を買いました。I bought ink for calligraphy.
- このプリンターのインクが切れました。The ink in this printer has run out.
- この絵の色合いは綺麗な墨色だね。The color scheme in this painting is a beautiful ink color, isn't it?
- 昔は筆のインクを自分で作っていた。In the past, I used to make my own ink for writing brushes.
- この布は墨染めのような色ですね。This fabric has a color similar to ink dyeing, doesn't it?
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta is looking for a pen to finish his drawing.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、そのペンにインクは入ってる？Kenta-kun, sono pen ni inku wa haitteru?Kenta, does that pen have ink in it?
- 健太 Kentaあ、インクが切れてるみたいだ。A, inku ga kireteru mitai da.Ah, it looks like the ink has run out.
- 陽葵 Himari新しいインクを持ってきてあげるね。Atarashii inku o motte kite ageru ne.I will go get some new ink for you.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵、ありがとう！助かるよ。Himari, arigatou! Tasukaru yo.Himari, thank you! That helps a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ink” translations and entries インク, 墨, インキ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries インキ, インク, 墨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
