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

灰色

haiiro

gray;grayish;whitish

特色

tokushoku

characteristic

茶色

chairo

light brown; tawny

着色

chakushoku

coloring

色彩

shikisai

color; tonality; tonality

景色

keshiki

scenario; scene; landscape

脚色

kyakushoku

play (for example, movie)

黄色い

kiiroi

yellow

音色

oniro

tone color; tone quality; timbre; synthesizer patch

黄色

oushoku

yellow

色

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:

この映画は美しい景色が映る。

Kono eiga wa utsukushii keshiki ga utsuru

This movie shows beautiful landscapes.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
映画 - noun meaning "film"
は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
が - subject particle that indicates who is performing the action
映る - Verb that means "to be reflected" or "to be projected"

この景色は美しいです。

Kono keshiki wa utsukushii desu

This landscape is beautiful.

This view is beautiful.

この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
美しい - adjective that means "pretty, beautiful"
です - Verb "to be" in polite form

こんなに美しい景色は初めて見た。

Konna ni utsukushii keshiki wa hajimete mita

I've never seen such a beautiful landscape before.

I saw such a beautiful landscape for the first time.

こんなに - adverb that means "so"
美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
景色 - noun meaning "landscape"
は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
初めて - adverb meaning "for the first time"
見た - verb in the past that means "saw"

ベルの音色は美しいです。

Beru no neiro wa utsukushii desu

The sound of the bell is beautiful.

The doorbell tone is beautiful.

ベル - Bell
の - Possessive particle
音色 - Timbre
は - Topic particle
美しい - pretty
です - Verb to be/estar in the present

丘陵は美しい自然の景色です。

Kyūryō wa utsukushii shizen no keshiki desu

The hill is a beautiful natural landscape.

丘陵 - hills
は - Topic particle
美しい - pretty
自然 - nature
の - Possessive particle
景色 - landscape
です - is

全国には美しい景色がたくさんあります。

Zenkoku ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga takusan arimasu

There are many beautiful landscapes across the country.

全国 - it means "the whole country"
には - it is a particle that indicates the existence of something in a specific place, in this case, "throughout the country"
美しい - It means "beautiful"
景色 - means "landscape" or "view"
が - it is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "landscape"
たくさん - It means "many" or "much"
あります - It is a verb that means "to exist" or "to have"

各地で美しい景色を見ることができます。

Kakuchi de utsukushii keshiki wo miru koto ga dekimasu

You can see beautiful scenery in many places.

各地で - in every place
美しい - beautiful
景色 - landscape
を - direct object particle
見る - To see
ことができます - it's possible

心が蕩けるような美しい景色です。

Kokoro ga torokeru yōna utsukushī keshiki desu

It is such a beautiful landscape that my heart melts.

It is a beautiful scenario that makes your heart.

心が蕩ける - means "to melt the heart" or "to feel moved"
ような - is a particle that indicates similarity or comparison, in this case, "like"
美しい - means "handsome" or "beautiful"
景色 - means "landscape" or "view"
です - is a particle that indicates the end of the sentence and makes it an affirmative statement

極めて美しい景色です。

Kyokumete utsukushii keshiki desu

It is an extremely beautiful landscape.

It is a very beautiful view.