空色の
sorairo no
The English phrase 'azure' is translated into Japanese as 空色の (sorairo no) or 紺碧の.
Meaning: sky-blue coloured (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 空色の | sorairo no |
| 紺碧の | konpeki no |
The term is used to describe something that is sky-blue coloured. While the standard way to describe this shade is through the common term 空色の, one may also use the more intense and brilliant term 紺碧の to describe a deep azure.
What does it mean word for word?
The form 空色の is composed of 空 (sky), 色 (color) and the particle の (possessive/adjectival particle), literally meaning 'sky color's'.
Which one should you use?
空色の is a common, descriptive way to say sky-blue, whereas 紺碧の is a more literary and intense term for a deep, brilliant azure.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
紺碧の is used in more formal, poetic or dramatic contexts compared to the everyday 空色の.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
sorairo no
Did you know?
- In Japanese color theory, the distinction between 青 (blue) and 緑 (green) was historically blurred, meaning some things described as 'azure' in old texts might actually be green today.
- The word 空 in 空色の is a homonym that can mean 'sky', 'empty' or 'void', creating a poetic double meaning of 'the color of the void' in some philosophical contexts.
- In traditional Japanese art, the specific deep azure of 紺碧 was often achieved using crushed lapis lazuli or expensive imported pigments to signify high status.
Examples in context
- 今日の空は美しい空色だね。The sky is a beautiful azure today.
- 海は蒼い波でキラキラと輝いていた。The ocean sparkled with azure waves.
- 空色のシャツを着ています。Sorairo no shatsu o kite imasu.I am wearing a sky-blue shirt.
- 空色の絵の具を使いたいです。Sorairo no enogu o tsukaitai desu.I want to use sky-blue paint.
Example conversation
Two people are shopping for art supplies at a store.
- 蓮 Renこの空色の絵の具はありますか？Kono sorairo no enogu wa arimasu ka?Do you have this sky-blue paint?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、こちらにございます。Hai, kochira ni gozaimasu.Yes, it is right here.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さん、この色はどう思いますか？Misaki-san, kono iro wa dou omoimasu ka?Misaki, what do you think of this color?
- 美咲 Misakiとても綺麗な空色ですね。Totemo kirei na sorairo desu ne.It is a very beautiful sky-blue, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “azure” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
