- 灰色 — gray
- 石灰 — lime (mineral)
- 火山灰 — volcanic ash
- 灰皿 — ashtray
The character combines 火 (fire) and a simplified version of 又 (hand/again), indicating something touched or left by fire — “ash.” It appears in scientific contexts (volcanology, chemistry) and poetic imagery.
山が 噴火して 火山灰が 降りました。
The volcano erupted and ash fell down.
灰皿を 使ってください。
Please use an ashtray.