薄紫
usumurasaki
In Japanese, the English word 'lilac' (as a color) is expressed as 薄紫 (usumurasaki). Wiktionary also lists 藤色 (fujiiro).
Meaning: color (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 薄紫 | usumurasaki | |
| 藤色 | fujiiro | [ɸɯ̟ʑiːɾo̞] (narrow) |
You can also use the katakana loanword ライラック色 to refer specifically to the color of the lilac flower.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 薄紫 is composed of 薄, meaning thin or pale and 紫, meaning purple.
Which one should you use?
薄紫 is a general term for pale purple. In contrast, 藤色 specifically refers to wisteria color, which is a traditional shade of lilac or lavender in Japanese culture.
How do you pronounce it?
usumurasaki
Did you know?
- In ancient Japan, the color 紫 (purple) was so exclusive that only the highest ranks of the court were permitted to wear it. Even the specific shade of 薄紫 was once a sign of extreme social status.
- In Japanese seasonal poetry, colors like 藤色 are used as 'kigo', or seasonal words, to signal the arrival of spring to the reader.
- The color 藤色 is often associated with the 'Fujiwara' clan, one of the most powerful families in Japanese history, whose name also means 'wisteria field'.
Examples in context
- このドレスは薄紫ですね。Kono doresu wa usumurasaki desu ne.This dress is a light purple, isn't it?
- 薄紫のペンを買いました。Usumurasaki no pen o kaimashita.I bought a light purple pen.
- 壁を薄紫に塗りたいです。Kabe o usumurasaki ni nuritai desu.I want to paint the wall light purple.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are shopping for a gift.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、どっちの色がいい？Kenta-kun, docchi no iro ga ii?Kenta, which color do you prefer?
- 健太 Kenta僕は薄紫がいいと思うよ。Boku wa usumurasaki ga ii to omou yo.I think lilac would be good.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。私も薄紫が好きです。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo usumurasaki ga suki desu.That's nice. I like lilac too.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、これにしよう。Jaa, kore ni shiyō.Then, let's go with this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lilac” translations and entries 藤色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
