アクア
akua
アクア (akua) is the Japanese word for aqua.
アクア refers to a light blue-green color. As a loanword from English/Latin, it is typically used in contexts like cosmetics, fashion or design rather than in everyday descriptive speech.
Which one should you use?
While アクア is a specific color name often used for branding, 水色 (mizuiro) is the standard, native Japanese word for 'light blue' or 'water color'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term アクア色 can be used as an informal way to say aqua.
How do you pronounce it?
akua
Did you know?
- Japanese has a distinct category of 'traditional colors' called 伝統色 (dentōshoku), where shades similar to aqua have poetic names based on nature, such as 浅葱色 (asagi-iro) or 'pale onion'.
- In Japanese cosmetics, 'aqua' is often used in names to imply 'hydration' or 'water-based' rather than just describing a blue shade.
- In Japanese automotive branding, such as with the Toyota アクア, the name is used to suggest 'cleanliness' and 'environmental friendliness' rather than just the color of the car.
Examples in context
- 彼の車は本当にクールなアクア色だ。His car is a really cool aqua color.
- アクア色のシャツを着ています。Akua-iro no shatsu o kite imasu.I am wearing an aqua-colored shirt.
- 壁をアクアに塗り替えました。Kabe o akua ni nurikaemashita.I repainted the wall aqua.
- アクアはとても爽やかな色ですね。Akua wa totemo sawayaka na iro desu ne.Aqua is a very refreshing color, isn't it?
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are looking at paint samples for their room.
- 結衣 Yuiこのアクアの色はどうかな？kono akua no iro wa dou kana?What do you think of this aqua color?
- 大翔 Hirotoいい色だね。爽やかな感じがするよ。ii iro da ne. sawayaka na kanji ga suru yo.It's a nice color. It feels refreshing.
- 結衣 Yuiじゃあ、このアクアに決めよう。jaa, kono akua ni kimeyou.Then, let's go with this aqua.
- 大翔 Hiroto賛成。部屋が明るくなると思うよ。sansei. heya ga akaruku naru to omou yo.I agree. I think the room will become brighter.
