灰色の
haiiro no
The English phrase 'ashen' is translated into Japanese as 灰色の (haiiro no).
灰色の is used to describe things that are the color of ash or are pale/gray-colored.
Meaning: ash-colored, pale (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle の (no) is used to connect the noun 灰色 (haiiro) to a following noun, functioning as an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
haiiro no
Did you know?
- If you are describing a person's face as 'ashen' due to fear, Japanese speakers often use the word 青ざめる, which literally translates to 'becoming blue'.
- In Japanese aesthetics, the color of ash or gray is often associated with 'wabi-sabi', the beauty of imperfection and transience, rather than just being a neutral or dull color.
- While 灰色の describes a physical color, the Japanese word for ash, 灰, is also used in the idiom 灰になる, meaning 'to turn to ash' or to die.
Examples in context
- 彼の顔は灰色になった。His face turned ashen.
- 灰色の空が広がっています。haiiro no sora ga hirogatte imasu.An ashen sky is spreading out.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking at the weather outside the window.
- 美咲 Misaki今日は灰色の空ですね。kyou wa haiiro no sora desu ne.It is an ashen sky today, isn't it?
- 健太 Kentaええ、雨が降りそうですよ。ee, ame ga furisou desu yo.Yes, it looks like it will rain.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは傘を持っていますか？kenta-san wa kasa o motte imasu ka?Kenta, do you have an umbrella?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、持っていません。iie, motte imasen.No, I don't have one.
