erase · smear

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 抹 has 8 strokes and the on-reading まつ. 抹茶 (まっちゃ) and 抹消 (まっしょう) have readings containing the small っ.
• Basic usage: 抹茶 is powdered green tea; 抹消 means erasing a name or canceling a record.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The name of a tea and erasing records
  • 抹茶の苦み means the bitterness of powdered green tea. The example contrasts it with 小豆の甘さ, the sweetness of red beans that complements it.
  • 重複した名前を抹消した means removed a duplicate name from the roster. 大会記録が抹消された passively states that a tournament record was annulled for a rule violation.