Learning to say colors in Japanese can seem daunting at first, with new vocabulary words like ao (blue), aka (red), and midori (green). However, with some practice and memorization techniques, it’s easy to master the colors quickly. In this article, we’ll go over all the basic color words in Japanese, breaking them down by vocabulary lists and example sentences. We’ll also provide tips on the best ways to study and memorize them. In no time, you’ll be able to name all the colors confidently in Japanese!
The Basic Color Words in Japanese
Here are the most common Japanese color words you’ll need to know:
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 黒 | kuro |
| White | 白 | shiro |
| Gray | 灰色 | haiiro |
| Red | 赤 | aka |
| Blue | 青 | ao |
| Green | 緑 | midori |
| Yellow | 黄色 | kiiro |
| Purple | 紫 | murasaki |
| Orange | 橙色 | orenji |
| Pink | ピンク | pinku |
| Brown | 茶色 | chairo |
This covers the 12 main colors in Japanese. Notice that some colors like “yellow” and “orange” are compound words using the word for color (色 – iro) added to another kanji or word.
Now let’s go over some examples of how these color words are used in sentences:
Example Sentences
赤の車が好きです。
Aka no kuruma ga suki desu.
I like red cars.
部屋は緑に塗りました。
Heya wa midori ni nutta.
I painted the room green.
彼女は黄色いドレスを着ています。
Kanojo wa kiiroi doresu o kite imasu.
She is wearing a yellow dress.
紫の花が咲いています。
Murasaki no hana ga saite imasu.
The purple flowers are blooming.
ピンクは女の子の色だと思います。
Pinku wa onnanoko no iro da to omoimasu.
I think pink is a girl’s color.
Notice how the color word comes before the noun it is describing. This word order is essential in Japanese grammar. Also pay attention to using the correct particle after the color. “No” is used for most colors before a noun, while “i” is added to the end of some colors like “kiiroi” meaning yellow.
Tips for Learning and Remembering Colors
Now that you know the vocabulary and sentence structures, here are some tips for studying and memorizing Japanese colors:
– Make flashcards with the hiragana, kanji, and romaji for each color. Quiz yourself until you know them all.
– Use mnemonic devices and associations to remember colors. For example, red (aka) starts with A like apple. Green (midori) sounds like the English word for green.
– When you learn new vocabulary words, always learn them in example sentences for context.
– Apply the colors to objects around you. Look at your room and practice saying “the walls are white” and “the table is brown” in Japanese.
– Listen to recordings of native speakers pronouncing the colors. Mimic their pronunciation.
– Watch Japanese TV shows, children’s programs or anime and pick out all the colors you hear. Seeing the colors visualized will help cement them.
– Make your study habit consistent. Set aside just 5-10 minutes each day to practice colors and increase vocabulary retention over time.
With regular, bite-sized practice of Japanese colors, you’ll master the vocabulary quickly and be able to use it confidently in conversation. The most important thing is to actually use the words in context and practice saying colors aloud frequently.
Advanced Color Names
Once you have basic color vocabulary down, you can move on to more specific and advanced shades like:
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | 紺碧 |
| Beige | ベージュ |
| Scarlet | 緋色 |
| Azure | 群青 |
| Violet | 菫色 |
| Indigo | 藍色 |
| Turquoise | ターコイズ |
| Magenta | マゼンタ |
| Burgundy | 暗紫色 |
| Maroon | 茜色 |
You’ll hear many loan words from English for specific shades too, especially for colors like pink or purple which have many variations.
While advanced color names are not essential, they allow you to add variety and precision when describing objects. They are useful to bolster your vocabulary.
Colors in Kanji Readings
In Japanese, kanji can be read multiple ways. For example, blue (ao) can also be read as:
青 – sei
藍 – ai
Same with red (aka) which has alternate kanji readings like:
赤 – seki
緋 – hi
The good news is you only need to know the main color words like ao and aka. But you will encounter these alternate readings sometimes too, especially in compound words. Knowing the possible kanji readings helps you recognize colors when reading.
Colors in Compound Words
Colors appear in many compound words and phrases in Japanese. For example:
青信号 – blue traffic light (aoshingou)
原色 – primary color (genshoku)
赤ちゃん – baby, infant (akachan)
白人 – white person (hijin)
黒板 – blackboard (kokuban)
By learning colors words, you can start deciphering the meaning of compounds and expand your vocabulary.
Conclusion
Learning colors in Japanese is easy with dedicated practice over time. Start by mastering the 12 basic colors through flashcards, use, and visual associations. Listen and speak the colors aloud in example sentences. Apply your knowledge by describing everyday objects with colors. Moving forward, build on your vocabulary by learning advanced shades, kanji readings, and compounds. With regular study, you’ll gain the ability to confidently name all the colors in Japanese.
