色
iro[iɾo̞]
The English phrase "colors" is expressed in Japanese as 色 (iro).
The word 色 refers to colors. If you want to refer specifically to the nuance, tone or shade of a color rather than the color itself, the word 色合い is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 色 means color, the common adjective 色々な is used to mean "various" or "diverse" and is not strictly limited to discussing colors.
Did you know?
- Since the 900s, the word 色 has been used as a euphemism for romance, sex or eroticism, similar to how 'colorful' can occasionally imply something provocative in English.
- In traditional Japanese culture, colors were historically categorized by names of plants, minerals or natural objects rather than abstract labels.
- While describing a physical tint, 色 can also be used to describe the shifting colors of a person's emotions or facial expressions.
Examples in context
- 虹は７色だ。The rainbow has seven colors.This sentence is useful for stating how many colors are in a rainbow using 色.Tatoeba #122967 by small_snow, translation #281035 by CK
- こういう色、好き？Do you like these colors?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes certain colors using 色.Tatoeba #10880220 by small_snow, translation #6283001 by Hybrid
- 花は色とりどりです。The flowers come in many colors.This sentence is useful for describing flowers that come in many colors using 色.Tatoeba #9954423 by small_snow, translation #9948197 by Hybrid
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daito and Misaki are shopping for a new towel.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのタオルは、他にどんな色がありますか？Kono taoru wa, hoka ni donna iro ga arimasu ka?What other colors do you have for this towel?
- 美咲 Misaki青と白の二色がございます。Ao to shiro no nishoku ga gozaimasu.We have two colors, blue and white.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、青い色にします。Jaa, aoi iro ni shimasu.Then, I'll go with the blue color.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。こちらになります。Arigatou gozaimasu. Kochira ni narimasu.Thank you. Here it is.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 色, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
