How to Say "What Color" in Japanese

何色

naniiro

The English phrase "what color" is translated into Japanese as 何色 (naniiro).

何色 is used to ask about the color of an object.

How does it change in a sentence?

In casual conversation, the phrase can be used alone with a rising intonation to ask 'what color?'

naniiro

The word 色 within 何色 can also refer to 'sex appeal' or 'eroticism' depending entirely on the context and tone used.
In Japanese traditional arts, when asked 何色, the answer might involve a specific vegetable or plant name used to identify a dye, such as 'madder' or 'indigo'.
The concept of 'color' is used in idioms like 顔色 (kaoiro), which literally means 'face color' but refers to someone's mood or complexion.

風って、何色？
What color is the wind?
This sentence is useful for asking about the color of the wind using 何色.
Tatoeba #11825726 by small_snow, translation #11817448 by ddnktr
これって、何色？
What color is this?
This sentence is useful for asking about the color of something nearby using 何色.
Tatoeba #11058068 by small_snow, translation #2298640 by Adelpa
シャツの色は何色？
What color is your shirt?
This sentence is useful for asking about the color of a shirt using 何色.
Tatoeba #11795609 by small_snow, translation #10758984 by ddnktr
10 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are looking at a car in a parking lot.

美咲 Misaki

あの車、何色だと思う？
Ano kuruma, nani-iro da to omou?
What color do you think that car is?
大翔 Hiroto

濃い青色じゃないかな。
Koi ao-iro janai kana.
I think it's a dark blue.
美咲 Misaki

本当だ。きれいな色だね。
Hontou da. Kirei na iro da ne.
You're right. It's a beautiful color.
大翔 Hiroto

うん、かっこいいよね。
Un, kakkoii yo ne.
Yeah, it's cool.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏