青
[a̠o̞]
ao is the Japanese word for the color blue.
The word ao refers to both blue and green, depending on the context. While it can mean blue, it is also used to describe colors that English speakers would categorize as green, such as vegetation or traffic lights. In compound words like aozora (blue sky), it is often used to signify a bright and optimistic future and the expression aoi seishun (blue/green youth) is associated with the prime of one's life.
Which one should you use?
青 is a noun, while the form 青い is the adjective used to modify nouns directly.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use the color as an adjective to describe a noun, the form changes to the i-adjective 青い (aoi).
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 青い空Blue sky
- 空がきれいな青です。Sora ga kirei na ao desu.The sky is a beautiful blue.
- 青は私の好きな色です。Ao wa watashi no suki na iro desu.Blue is my favorite color.
- この青いペンを貸してください。Kono aoi pen o kashite kudasai.Please lend me this blue pen.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at clothes in a store.
- 健太 Kentaこの青いシャツはどう？Kono aoi shatsu wa dou?How about this blue shirt?
- 陽葵 Himariいいと思うよ、健太さん。Ii to omou yo, Kenta-san.I think it's good, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaやっぱり青が一番いいかな。Yappari ao ga ichiban ii kana.I guess blue is the best after all.
- 陽葵 Himariうん、とても似合ってるよ。Un, totemo niatteru yo.Yeah, it suits you very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 青, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 青, CC BY-SA 4.0.
