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日本語 
Primary colors in Japanese seem easy and straightforward, but you’d be surprised by how much culture and history go behind them. Granted, a lot of Japanese vocabulary is borrowed from English, which makes it easy for us to memorize them — but in Japanese culture, colors take an important part if representing feelings, rituals and ceremonies.
In Japanese, the words for specific colors are used differently depending on their parts of speech. Having two sets – one set is the Japanese – the other being a katakana loan word version of their There are two ways: one set is the Japanese one, and the other is a katakana loan word version of their English counterparts. Most colors in Japanese end with 色 except for a few exceptions and words borrowed from English.
For example, the color “blue” can be both 青い (aoi) and ブルー (buruu).
Another example is the color orange. Even Japanese people will often opt for the loanword, オレンジ, instead of using the traditional Japanese word: 橙色 (daidaiiro).
This can be very confusing for beginners in Japanese as to what context is appropriate to use which version. In this article, we will explain to you how to describe objects with colors in Japanese.
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Jump to:
- Nouns for Basic Colors in Japanese
- Japanese Colors as Adjective
- A Brief Guide (or History) on Japanese Color
- Confusion Around Colors in Japanese
- Meanings of Colors in Japanese Culture
- How to Say Other Colors in Japanese
Nouns for Basic Colors in Japanese
| English | Japanese | Furigana | Romaji | Katakana | Romaji |
| Red | 赤 | あか | Aka | レッド | Reddo |
| Orange | 橙色 | だいだいいろ | Daidaiiro | オレンジ | Orenji |
| Yellow | 黄色 | きいろ | Kiiro | イエロー | Ieroo |
| Green | 緑 | みどり | Midori | グリーン | Guriin |
| Blue | 青 | あお | Ao | ブルー | Buruu |
| Purple | 紫 | むらさき | Murasaki | パープル | Paapuru |
| Pink | 桃色 | ももいろ | Momoiro | ピンク | Pinku |
| Brown | 茶色 | ちゃいろ | Chairo | ブラウン | Buraun |
| Grey | 灰色 | はいいろ | Haiiro | グレイ | Gurei |
| Black | 黒 | くろ | Kuro | ブラック | Purakku |
| White | 白 | しろ | Shiro | ホワイト | Howaito |
These words above are nouns that refer to different colors. As a result, the particle “の(no)” is used when describing the color of something. If you are not familiar with particles in Japanese, we recommend you to take a look at our basic Japanese grammar guide.
The basic sentence pattern for describing colors is color + の + subject.
For example:
みどりの窓口(まどぐち)
Midori no madoguchi
Green window (usually referring to the ticket office at a train station in Japan)
紫(むらさき)の靴下(くつした)
Murasaki no kutsushita
Purple socks.
Why do we use の instead of な? For the answer, head to our article on the dilemma of な-adjectives and の-adjectives.
Japanese Colors as Adjectives
Color can also be used as adjectives. Surprisingly, there are only 4 colors that will become an adjective when “い” is added directly to the back.
| English | Japanese | Furigana | Romaji |
| Red | 赤い | あかい | Akai |
| Blue | 青い | あおい | Aoi |
| Black | 黒い | くろい | Kuroi |
| White | 白い | しろい | Shiroi |
To use Japanese colors as adjectives, you can use them directly in front of a subject. For example:
あおい海(うみ)
Aoi umi
Blue sea
海(うみ)はあおいです。
Umi wa aoi desu
The sea is blue.
Check out: Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Adjectives: な and い Adjectives
A Brief Guide on Japanese Colors
So why only four, and why are these colors special? It is because only four colors existed as the basic forms of color in the ancient Japanese language — or, at least, acknowledged: 白 shiro (white), 黒 kuro (black), 赤 aka (red) and 青 ao (blue).
The same can be seen in other basic color wheels. Kuro (くろ) and shiro (しろ) are used to describe things that are dark and light — cool and warm. The word あか covers a spectrum of dark red, orange and yellow, with lighter yellow colors grouped to しろ. Ki (黄) paints in shades of yellow, gold and lighter brown. Murasaki (むらさき) was once a name of a plant but eventually became a color name for purple, too.
Rather than actual colors, these words are used to group particular hues and shades. For example, different shades of blue in the past are now purple, gray and green.
Confusions Around Colors in Japanese
We’re not trying to make things complicated, but if you dig deeper into the Japanese language, you’ll find that colors in Japanese aren’t as “innocent” as they seem. Take a look at some of the few language conundrums.
“黄色い” and “茶色い”
There are two more colors that can become Japanese adjectives: 黄色 (kiiro) and 茶色 (chairo). You might think: they are formatted exactly the same way as other (native Japanese) colors, so why didn’t we not put them together with the four main colors above? This is because although meaning yellow and brown color, “黄” and “茶” cannot be on themselves when used as colors.
In fact, the Japanese word for 茶 (cha) means tea.They have to be put together with the word “色 (iro colors) to become nouns for yellow and brown. As a result, when they become adjectives, they are “黄色い” and “茶色い” instead “黄い” or “茶い”
Blue and Green: 青い
In the past, Japanese people considered blue and green as one color called 青い. Because there was no seperation between the two until recently, even in modern times, the word “aoi” is still used to describe objects that are green, like green apples (青りんご) or green traffic lights (青信号).
The Japanese language only got its unique word for green, みどり (緑) during the Heian period, which was between 794 and 1185. However, the term was not widely adopted until after World War II, and its late adoption was partly why we still see あおい used to describe things that are green.
To learn more about the differences and fun historical facts, check out our exploration on the difference between aoi and midori!
Meanings of Colors in Japanese Culture
A lot of countries (and cultures) place importance on colors. While each tradition may not have the same ideals, specific colors generally represent positive or negative symbols. Depending on the meaning it represents, people might steer clear of wearing that color at a certain event — or, on the opposite, feel inclined to wear them.
Symbolism in Japanese colors is heavily rooted in China and its traditional philosophies, which include Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. In the past, these philosophies affected the association of color with each social class of Japanese society.
In other words, colors represent the values of life, particularly white, red, black and blue — the four primary colors in Japanese culture. This is why you’ll see that most Japanese clothing, architecture and events incorporate them.
Meaning of White Color in Japanese Culture
White (白い)zztakes the majority of the Japanese flag — and for an important reason. As the color of the gods, it represents purity, both spiritual and physical, and reverence for divinity. In Buddhism, white was worn at funerals as it also means death, and funerals were often marked with white and black stripes.
However, it was the focus of Shinto traditions (check out Japanese religion vocabulary here). You’ll notice white sand, pebbles and decorations at shrines to honor the gods’ wisdom and knowledge. Emperors in Japan would be dressed in white for Shinto rituals, and brides would be covered in white dress and head covering for their wedding.
Meaning of Red Color in Japanese Culture
The focal point of the Japanese national flag, red (赤い) symbolizes authority, strength and prosperity. This is why it is especially symbolic when paired with white.
In fact, red plays a dominant part in Japanese architecture. You’ll notice shrines and temples are painted in red, as it is also believed the color can ward away evil spirits while strengthening the link between humans and gods in Shinto shrines. At festivals, people would cover the tables and floor with red cloth and carpets.
Meaning of Black Color in Japanese Culture
Before Western influence, black (黒い) wasn’t always the color for mourning, but it did have a somewhat negative association. While purple represented the highest rank in the Japanese social class (royalty), black marked the lowest of them. The dark shade was tied to evil, bad luck, fear and misfortune.
Meaning of Blue Color in Japanese Culture
Blue dye, made from the indigo plant, was the most accessible (and affordable) color Japanese people could use to make clothing and textiles. As such, blue (青い)is the color of common people, worn on kimonos, formal attire and common wear.
Summary of Colors in Japanese Culture
Colors have a rich cultural significance in Japan, and their meaning and symbolism can vary depending on the context. Here are some examples:
- Red: Red is the color of the sun and is often associated with good luck, happiness, and prosperity. It is also the color of the Japanese flag and is used in many traditional Japanese festivals and ceremonies.
- White: White is the color of purity and is often associated with death and mourning. It is also the color of weddings and is worn by brides on their wedding day.
- Black: Black is the color of darkness and mystery. It is also the color of death and mourning. However, black is also associated with power and sophistication, and is often worn by business people and government officials.
- Blue: Blue is the color of the sky and the ocean. It is often associated with peace, calmness, and serenity. It is also the color of loyalty and trust, and is often worn by police officers and other government officials.
- Green: Green is the color of nature and is often associated with growth, fertility, and new beginnings. It is also the color of youth and vitality.
Other colors that have cultural significance in Japan include:
- Pink: Pink is the color of cherry blossoms, which are a symbol of spring and new beginnings. It is also associated with femininity and youth.
- Gold: Gold is the color of the sun and is associated with wealth, prosperity, and good luck. It is often used in temples and shrines, and is also used in traditional Japanese art and crafts.
- Purple: Purple is the color of the Japanese imperial family and is associated with royalty, luxury, and power. It is also associated with mystery and spirituality.
- Silver: Silver is the color of the moon and is associated with femininity, gentleness, and purity. It is also associated with wealth and prosperity.
The cultural significance of colors in Japan is complex and multifaceted. Colors can be used to convey a wide range of emotions and meanings, depending on the context. For example, the color red can be used to express love, happiness, or anger, depending on the situation.
It is important to be aware of the cultural significance of colors when visiting Japan. For example, it is generally considered inappropriate to wear white to a wedding, as white is the color of mourning. It is also considered inappropriate to wear red to a funeral, as red is the color of good luck and happiness.
By understanding the cultural significance of colors in Japan, visitors can avoid making any faux pas and can show their respect for Japanese culture.
How to Say Other Colors In Japanese
If you feel that the basic colors are too general, here are some Japanese words for more specific colors.
| English | Japanese | Furigana | Romaji | Westernized | Romaji |
| Silver | 銀 | ぎん | Gin | シルバー | Shirubaa |
| Gold | 金 | きん | Kin | ゴールド | Goorudo |
| Rainbow clour | 虹色 | にじいろ | Nijiiro | ||
| Light Blue | 水色 | みずいろ | Mizuiro | ||
| Navy Blue | 紺色 | こんいろ | Koniro | ネービー | Neiibi |
| Purple | 紫 | むらさき | Murasaki | パープル | Paapuru |
| Yellowish Green | 黄緑 | きみどり | Kimidori | ||
| Beige | ベージュ | Beeju |
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