What Does 色 Mean in Japanese?
色 means color and can also describe appearance or complexion.
The kun’yomi いろ is common by itself, while ショク and シキ appear in compounds such as 特色 and 景色.
Reading
On’yomi: ショク (shoku), シキ (shiki)
Kun’yomi: いろ (iro)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 色 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | color |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
色 can refer to a physical color, a shade, or a visible quality. In compounds it also describes complexion, scenery, and distinctive character.
Common Words
- 色（いろ / iro） — color
- 色々（いろいろ / iroiro） — various, many kinds
- 景色（けしき / keshiki） — scenery, view
- 顔色（かおいろ / kaoiro） — complexion, facial color
- 特色（とくしょく / tokushoku） — distinctive feature
- 三色（さんしょく / sanshoku） — three colors
Example Sentences
-
好きな色は青です。
すきないろはあおです。 / Suki na iro wa ao desu.
My favorite color is blue.
-
窓からきれいな景色が見えます。
まどからきれいなけしきがみえます。 / Mado kara kirei na keshiki ga miemasu.
You can see beautiful scenery from the window.
-
この服は色が明るすぎます。
このふくはいろがあかるすぎます。 / Kono fuku wa iro ga akarusugimasu.
The color of these clothes is too bright.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The kun’yomi いろ is common when 色 stands alone. The on’yomi ショク or シキ appears in compounds such as 景色, 特色, and 顔色.
Summary
色 means color and is essential for describing clothes, objects, scenery, and visual appearance.