カラフルな
karafuru na
The English phrase "colorful" is translated into Japanese as カラフルな (karafuru na).
カラフルな is used to describe something that possesses prominent and varied colors.
Meaning: possessing prominent and varied colors (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word カラフル is a loanword from the English word "colorful", written in the Katakana script.
Which one should you use?
While カラフルな is a common and modern way to express the idea, you can use the more formal and sophisticated phrase 色彩豊かな to describe something as being rich in color. Additionally, the phrase 七色の can be used specifically to mean "rainbow-colored".
How does it change in a sentence?
カラフルな is a na-adjective. In its plain or dictionary form, it becomes カラフルだ. To express that something was colorful in the past, use カラフルでした.
How do you pronounce it?
karafuru na
Did you know?
- The word 七色の is frequently used in poetic contexts to describe a 'colorful' voice or a multifaceted personality, rather than just visual colors.
- When describing a 'colorful' kimono, the term 絢爛 (kenran) is often used, which specifically implies a dazzling, gorgeous richness that goes beyond mere variety of color.
- The formal term 色彩豊かな uses the word 色彩 (shikisai), which literally translates to 'color' and 'dye', reflecting Japan's ancient history of complex textile dyeing.
Examples in context
- メアリーはカラフルな着物を着ている。Mary is wearing a colorful kimono.This sentence shows the use of カラフルな to describe a kimono.Tatoeba #9286195 by small_snow, translation #9286178 by DJ_Saidez
- カラフルな靴を履いた男の子を見たんだ。I saw a boy with colorful shoes.This sentence uses カラフルな to describe shoes.Tatoeba #9479725 by small_snow, translation #9472323 by DJ_Saidez
- どうして蝶々って、あんなにカラフルなんだろう。Why are butterflies so colorful?This sentence uses カラフルな to ask why butterflies are so colorful.Tatoeba #11998826 by small_snow, translation #11998823 by shekitten
- 友人の庭は色鮮やかです。My friend has a colorful garden.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a flower garden.
- 健太 Kenta見て、あそこの花がすごくカラフルなね。Mite, asoko no hana ga sugoku karafuru na ne.Look, those flowers over there are so colorful, aren't they?
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。とてもきれいだね。Hontou da ne. Totemo kirei da ne.You're right. They are very beautiful.
- 健太 Kentaカラフルな写真が撮れそうだよ。Karafuru na shashin ga toresou da yo.I think I can take some colorful photos.
- 結衣 Yui私も撮りたいな。Watashi mo toritai na.I want to take some too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
