のり（のり、nori）
- glue

The Japanese word のり has two main meanings: ⚫︎ As a noun, it refers to "glue" or "paste", a substance used to stick things together. This is the more common usage. ⚫︎ It can also refer to "seaweed," specifically dried laver seaweed (nori) used in Japanese cuisine. The kanji for this meaning is different.

⚫︎ のりで紙をくっつけました。 Translation: I glued the paper. ⚫︎ おにぎりにのりを巻く。 Translation: To wrap seaweed around a rice ball.

⚫︎ When using のり to mean "glue," it's used in situations where you need to attach two things together. You can use it in everyday conversation when crafting, repairing items, or in art projects. ⚫︎ When referring to "seaweed" (海苔), it's used when discussing Japanese cuisine, especially when talking about おにぎり (rice balls) or sushi.

⚫︎ The word のり for "glue" is typically written in hiragana: のり. ⚫︎ The word のり for "seaweed" is written with the kanji 海苔, although it is sometimes written in hiragana のり, especially for beginners. The reading is the same for both. ⚫︎ There are no variations in okurigana for either meaning.

⚫︎ For "glue": 接着剤 (せっちゃくざい - adhesive), ボンド (bondo - bond, a brand of glue) ⚫︎ For "seaweed": 海苔 (かいそう - seaweed - general term)

⚫︎ For "glue": There isn't a direct antonym. However, something that separates or detaches would be the opposite in concept. ⚫︎ For "seaweed": There isn't a direct antonym.

この箱をのりでくっつけてください。 ・Translation: Please glue this box together. ・Explanation: This sentence uses のり to ask someone to use glue to assemble or repair a box.

朝ごはんにのりを食べます。 ・Translation: I eat seaweed for breakfast. ・Explanation: This sentence uses のり to describe eating seaweed as part of a breakfast meal.

The etymology of のり (glue) is not definitively known, but it is believed to be derived from an older form of Japanese. The etymology of 海苔 (seaweed) comes from the Chinese words for seaweed.