灰色
hai-iro[ha̠iiɾo̞]
The English word gray is translated into Japanese as 灰色 (hai-iro). Wiktionary also lists 鼠色 (nezumi-iro).
Meaning: of a color somewhere between white and black, like cinders (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 灰色 | hai-iro | [ha̠iiɾo̞] (narrow) [ka̠iɕo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 鼠色 | nezumi-iro | [ne̞zɨmʲiːɾo̞] (narrow) |
Both 灰色 and 鼠色 function as nouns meaning the color gray. In modern Japanese, particularly when discussing fashion, design or interior decor, the katakana loanword グレー is also very commonly used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 灰色 is composed of 灰 (hai), meaning 'ash' and 色 (iro), meaning 'color'. The word 鼠色 is composed of 鼠 (nezumi), meaning 'mouse' or 'rat' and 色 (iro), meaning 'color'.
Which one should you use?
灰色 is the standard, modern term for the color gray. 鼠色 is a more traditional or dated term often used to describe specific shades of mouse-gray.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 灰色 as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add the particle の, resulting in 灰色の.
How do you pronounce it?
hai-iro
Did you know?
- Traditional Japanese clothing uses 鼠色 to convey 'shibui', a concept of aesthetic beauty that is subtle, simple and austere.
- In traditional Japanese art, gray tones are often expressed through 'sumi' (ink) rather than just pigment, creating a vast spectrum of 'gray' that is culturally distinct from Western color theory.
- Japanese speakers often prefer the loanword グレー when talking about modern aesthetics, as the traditional 灰色 can sound too literal or like actual ash.
Examples in context
- 夜中の猫はどれも灰色。All cats are gray in the dark.This sentence uses 灰色 to describe the color of cats in the dark.Tatoeba #1614190 by Meow, translation #10961032 by CM
- 灰色が好き。I like the color gray.This sentence uses 灰色 to express a preference for the color gray.Tatoeba #9992990 by moxy, translation #8345955 by Cxom
- 私のスーツは灰色です。My suit is gray.This sentence uses 灰色 to describe the color of a suit.Tatoeba #492684 by hectorvk, translation #456473 by lukaszpp
- Watashi no kutsu no iro wa haiiro desu. (私の靴の色は灰色です。)My shoes are gray.
- Kono t-shatsu wa nezumiiro desu. (このTシャツは鼠色です。)This T-shirt is gray.
- haiiro to shiro (灰色と白)Gray and white
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are looking at a landscape painting in a gallery.
- 陽太 Yotaこの空の景色は灰色だね。Kono sora no keshiki wa haiiro dane.The scenery of this sky is gray, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当、綺麗な灰色をしている。Hontou, kirei na haiiro o shite iru.True, it is a beautiful gray.
- 陽太 Yota雲の色がとてもリアルだよ。Kumo no iro ga totemo riaru dayo.The color of the clouds is very realistic.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、この絵はお気に入り？Youta, kono e wa oki ni iri?Youta, is this painting your favorite?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gray” translations and entries 灰色, 鼠色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
