すす

すす

Soot.

In this sentence, 'すす' refers to the soot or fine black particles that result from incomplete combustion, typically gathered in places like around fireplaces.

暖炉の周りにはすすが積もっていました。

There was soot accumulated around the fireplace.

Here, 'すす' again represents soot, specifically the material that accumulates within a chimney requiring cleaning.

煙突を掃除するためにすすを取り除きました。

We removed the soot to clean the chimney.

In this example, 'すす' is used metaphorically to describe the appearance of candle residues, likened to soot.

古いろうそくの燃えかすがすすに似ていました。

The remains of the old candle resembled soot.