Translation and Meaning of: 色 - iro
If you've ever wondered how the Japanese talk about colors, the word 色[いろ] is the key to understanding this vibrant universe. In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, in addition to the meaning and translation, you’ll find details about the kanji writing, ready-to-memorize phrases, and even curiosities that go beyond the basics. In this article, we will explore the origin, everyday usage, and even tips to remember this term that is so present in the language. If you want to master Japanese, understanding 色 is essential — and it might be more fun than you think!
Origin and etymology of 色
The kanji 色 has a fascinating history. Its ancient form in archaic Chinese represented a combination of 人 (person) and 巴 (curvilinear pattern), suggesting something like "facial expression" or "appearance." Over time, the meaning evolved to "color" — after all, colors are a fundamental part of visual perception. It is interesting to note that, in Japanese, iro can also carry nuances of "emotion" or "passion," as in the expression 色気[いろけ] (seduction).
In writing, the kanji is composed of 6 strokes and is part of the JLPT N4, making it one of the most useful intermediate ideograms. A curiosity? In Buddhist contexts, 色 can refer to the "material world," contrasting with the spiritual. This shows how a single word can open doors to understanding not only the language but also Japanese culture.
Everyday use and popular expressions
In daily life, 色 appears in situations ranging from simple conversations to proverbs. Phrases like 色を付ける[いろをつける] ("give a special touch") or 色が違う[いろがちがう] ("have a different color") are common. But the term also arises in unexpected contexts: in restaurants, 色々[いろいろ] means "varied" — like in a sushi combo with diverse "colors."
Do you want a practical example? If a Japanese person says あの人は色が白い[あのひとはいろがしろい], they are not just talking about fair skin, but possibly highlighting a striking physical characteristic. And pay attention: 色んな[いろんな] (a contraction of 色々な) is one of the most commonly used words informally to say "various types of." Do you see how the basics can be versatile?
Tips for memorization and curiosities
To fix 色, associate the kanji with a rainbow — the curved strokes resemble brushstrokes of paint. Another trick? Think of イロ (iro) as "I ROund" something with colors. If you use Anki, create cards with images of colorful objects and the caption in Japanese. It works!
Now, a cultural pearl: in Japan, traditional colors like 藍色[あいいろ] (indigo) or 桜色[さくらいろ] (cherry blossom) have poetic names derived from 色. And guess what? Many of these shades are linked to nature and the seasons — a testament to how language reflects the environment. Want to test your knowledge? Try naming in Japanese the color of your favorite shirt using 色!
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 色彩 (shikisai) - Color, coloring
- 色合い (iroai) - Hue, gradient
- 色調 (irochou) - Toning, hue
- 色味 (iromi) - Color palette, color nuance
- 色彩感覚 (shikisai kankaku) - Color perception
- 色相 (ishou) - Tone, basic hue
- 色濃度 (iro noudou) - Color intensity
- 色度 (shikido) - Color degree, chromaticity
- 色彩度 (shikisai do) - Color vibrancy level
- 色彩鮮やかさ (shikisai azayakasa) - Vibrancy, liveliness of color
- 色彩明るさ (shikisai akarusa) - Brightness, luminosity of the color
- 色彩深さ (shikisai fukasa) - Depth of color
- 色彩豊かさ (shikisai yutakasa) - Wealth, wealth of colors
Related words
Romaji: iro
Kana: いろ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: color
Meaning in English: colour
Definition: The property of a substance that reflects light.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (色) iro
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (色) iro:
Example Sentences - (色) iro
See below some example sentences:
Utsukushii keshiki ga mieru
A beautiful landscape can be seen.
You can see the beautiful scenario.
- 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
- 景色 (keshiki) - landscape, view
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 見える (mieru) - to be seen, to be visible
Koniro no umi ga utsukushii desu
The dark blue sea is beautiful.
The dark blue sea is beautiful.
- 紺色 - navy blue color
- の - Possession particle
- 海 - sea
- が - subject particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - verb ser/estar (polite form)
Watashi wa utsukushii keshiki wo egaku koto ga suki desu
I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.
I enjoy drawing beautiful landscapes.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
- 景色 (keshiki) - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
- を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
- 描く (egaku) - verb that means "to draw" or "to paint"
- こと (koto) - abstract noun that indicates an action or event
- が (ga) - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
- 好き (suki) - adjective meaning "to like" or "to appreciate"
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence
Haiiro no sora ga utsukushii desu
The gray sky is beautiful.
The gray sky is beautiful.
- 灰色の - adjective that means "gray"
- 空 - noun meaning "heaven"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
- です - verb that indicates the polite and courteous way of saying "is"
Konpou shita iro wa utsukushii desu
Mixed colors are beautiful.
The mixed color is beautiful.
- 混合した - mixed
- 色 - color
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Enkou ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga hirogatte imasu
Along the coast
The beautiful landscape is spreading along the coast.
- 沿岸 (engan) - Coast, shoreline
- に (ni) - particle indicating location
- は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
- 景色 (keishiki) - landscape, view
- が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 広がっています (hirogatteimasu) - extends, spreads
Tōzai ni hirogaru keshiki wa utsukushii desu
The landscape that extends from east to west is beautiful.
The scenario that spreads the east and west is beautiful.
- 東西 - means "east-west".
- に - Title that indicates direction or location.
- 広がる - verb meaning "to spread" or "to extend".
- 景色 - Noun that means "landscape" or "view".
- は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
- です - verb that indicates the polite and courteous way of stating something.
Sangaku wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
The mountains are beautiful natural landscapes.
- 山岳 - mountains
- は - Topic particle
- 美しい - beautiful
- 自然 - nature
- の - Possession particle
- 景色 - landscape
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Nanboku ni hirogaru keshiki wa utsukushii desu
The view stretching south and north is beautiful.
The scenery that has spread to the north and south is beautiful.
- 南北に - indicates the direction to the southeast
- 広がる - verb meaning "to spread" or "to extend"
- 景色 - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
- 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
- です - linking verb indicating present tense and formality
oka no ue kara nagameru keshiki wa utsukushii desu
The view of the hill top is beautiful.
The view of the hill is beautiful.
- 丘の上から - from the top of the hill
- 眺める - observe
- 景色 - landscape
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - is (statement particle)