Translation guide
The English word 'clay' refers to a natural material used for pottery, sculpture, and construction. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 粘土 (nendo), but other words exist for specific types or contexts.
The natural earthy material used for making pottery, bricks, sculptures, etc.
The standard word for clay in most contexts, including art, crafts, and industrial use.
子供たちは粘土で動物を作った。
The children made animals out of clay.
この地域は良質の粘土が採れる。
This region yields high-quality clay.
Literally 'earth' or 'soil', but can refer to clay in contexts like pottery or natural materials. Often used in compound words.
陶芸用の土を買った。
I bought clay for pottery.
Clay specifically prepared for making pottery or ceramics.
Clay used for pottery and ceramics. More specific than 粘土.
陶土をこねて茶碗を作る。
Knead pottery clay to make a tea bowl.
Also used for pottery clay, but 陶土 is more precise.
Soft, malleable clay used for children's play or sculpting, often synthetic.
Oil-based modeling clay that doesn't dry out, commonly used in schools.
油粘土は乾燥しにくいので、繰り返し使える。
Oil-based clay doesn't dry easily, so it can be used repeatedly.
Paper-based clay that air-dries, lightweight and easy to paint.
Homemade play dough made from flour, safe for young children.
小麦粉粘土は小さな子供でも安心して遊べる。
Flour clay is safe for even small children to play with.
Clay as a component of soil, often heavy and sticky when wet.
Refers to clayey soil or clay content. Used in gardening, geology, and construction.
この庭の土は粘土質で水はけが悪い。
The soil in this garden is clayey and drains poorly.
Technical term for clay soil in soil science. Rare in everyday conversation.
埴土は保水力が高い。
Clay soil has high water retention.
A tennis court surface made of crushed brick or clay.
Loanword from French 'terre battue', used for clay tennis courts.
全仏オープンはクレーコートで行われる。
The French Open is played on clay courts.
A target used in shooting sports, originally made of clay.
The sport of clay pigeon shooting. The target itself is called クレー.
彼はクレー射撃の選手だ。
He is a clay shooting athlete.
While 土 (tsuchi) can mean 'earth' or 'soil', it is not a direct synonym for 'clay'. Use 粘土 (nendo) for the material used in art and crafts. 土 is broader and may refer to dirt or ground.
In Japanese, it's common to specify the type of clay by adding a prefix, e.g., 油粘土 (oil clay), 紙粘土 (paper clay), 陶土 (pottery clay). This is more natural than just saying 粘土 in many contexts.
This clay is suitable for pottery.
紙粘土で人形を作って、色を塗った。
I made a doll out of paper clay and painted it.