Japanese Colours

On this page we will learn simple Japanese words and phrases related to colours. The Japanese word for colour is Iro. Some of the words for the colours have Iro as part of the word. For example the Japanese word for Brown is Chairo is made up of Cha and Iro. Other examples are Orange Daidaiiro Daidai and Iro, or Grey HaiIro Hai and Iro, Kiiro for Yellow, Ki and Iro and Mizuiro for light blue.

Its interesting and helpful for learning the colours to look at the chinese characters that make them up. For example Chairo is made up of the characters of Cha which has a meaning of Tea and Iro, which of course means colour. So brown is literally 'Tea Colour'. For Grey, the meaning of the Chinese character Hai is ashes, so the literal meaning of Grey is Ash Colour. Mizu in Mizuiro means water, so it's no suprise that the meaning of the characters Water and Colour put together is light Blue!. The Japanese word for blue is Ao.

The Japanese word for red is Aka. In Japan red and white are colours that are regarded as bringing good luck. They are used on cards, gifts and for weddings and births and to decorate for a celebration. Blue and white are often used in fabrics, such as the Yukata, the Summer Kimono. You will also see many dishes and lacquerware using blue and white patterns. As in many other countries, black is a colour for funerals. The Japanese word for green is Midori.

Even though there are Japanese words for all of the colours, in modern times, Japanese has adapted the English names for some colours. Instead of Daidaiiro for orange, you are more likely to hear the word Orenji. The same goes for Pink, most people will say Pinku.
Now have a look below to listen and learn simple Japanese words and sentences for colours.

Japanese Colours

English	Japanese	Listen
Red	Aka	Listen
White	Shiro	Listen
Yellow	Kiiro	Listen
Blue	Ao	Listen
Green	Midori	Listen

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