ピンク
pinku[pʲĩŋkɯ̟]
The English word 'pink' can be translated into Japanese as ピンク (pinku) or 桃色.
Meaning: colored/coloured between red and white (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ピンク | pinku | [pʲĩŋkɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 桃色 | momoiro | [mo̞mo̞iɾo̞] (narrow) |
Both terms are used to describe the color between red and white. ピンク is a modern loanword used to describe most everyday objects, while 桃色 can also refer to the noun 'pale red colour'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 桃色 literally means 'peach color', combining the word for peach and the word for color.
Which one should you use?
While both mean pink, ピンク is the modern katakana loanword used for most everyday objects. In contrast, 桃色 carries a more traditional, poetic or soft nuance.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the loanword ピンク as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add the particle の after it, such as in ピンクの.
How do you pronounce it?
pinku
Did you know?
- In older Japanese cinema and literature, 桃色 was used as a code word to describe adult or erotic content, similar to how 'blue' is used in some English contexts.
- While 桃色 means 'peach color', the word for the actual fruit, 桃, is often associated with longevity and immortality in Japanese folklore.
- In Japan, the color of cherry blossoms is often described as 桜色 (sakura-iro), or 'cherry blossom color', rather than using the word for pink.
Examples in context
- ピンクのバラは美しい。Pink roses are beautiful.This sentence shows how to use ピンク to modify a noun.Tatoeba #212684 by bunbuku, translation #49967 by CM
- 桃色って、かわいい色ね。Pink is a pretty color.This sentence illustrates the use of 桃色 as a noun.Tatoeba #10320739 by small_snow, translation #10318102 by CK
- 彼女は壁をピンクに塗った。She painted the wall pink.This sentence shows how to use ピンク to describe the result of an action.Tatoeba #86815 by bunbuku, translation #316895 by CK
- この部屋の壁は桃色です。The walls of this room are pink.
- 私は桃色が好きです。I like the color pink.
- ピンクの花がきれいですね。The pink flowers are beautiful, aren't they?
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a clothing rack in a boutique.
- 陽葵 Himariこのピンクのシャツ、すごく可愛いよ。Kono pinku no shatsu, sugoku kawaii yo.This pink shirt is really cute.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。陽葵に似合うと思う。Hontou da. Himari ni au to omou.You're right. I think it would suit you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariでも、ちょっと明るすぎるかな？Demo, chotto akarasugiru kana?But, is it a bit too bright?
- 大翔 Hirotoいや、そのピンクはちょうどいいよ。Iya, sono pinku wa choudo ii yo.No, that pink is just right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pink” translations and entries ピンク, 桃色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
