Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Color'? | 色

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Color', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Color' is 色.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Color

    Reading

    kunyomiいろ

    iro

    onyomiしょく

    shoku

    しき

    shiki

    Parts

    Wrap Swirling water

    Example Word

    緑色: green. The Japanese noun '緑色 (みどりいろ)' means 'green'. This word specifically refers to the color green, and is commonly used to describe objects, nature, or anything that is green in color. For example: the leaves are green「葉っぱは緑色です」(はっぱはみどりいろです). She is wearing a green dress「彼女は緑色のドレスを着ています」(かのじょはみどりいろのドレスをきています). It is important to note that '緑色' is a noun, and when used to describe something, it is often followed by the particle 'の' to modify a noun, as in '緑色の車 (みどりいろのくるま) (green car)'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    126

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Wrap

    radical

    Meaning

    Swirling water

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Break off, Extinction

    kanji

    Meaning

    Glossy, Romance

Words Using

This kanji is used in 17 words:

    word

    茶色

    Meaning

    Brown

    word

    Meaning

    Color, Appearance

    word

    色々

    Meaning

    Various

    word

    緑色

    Meaning

    Green

    word

    色んな

    Meaning

    Various

    word

    金色

    Meaning

    Gold

    word

    黄色

    Meaning

    Yellow

    word

    顔色

    Meaning

    Mood, Complexion

    word

    黄色い

    Meaning

    Yellow

    word

    景色

    Meaning

    Scenery

    word

    無色

    Meaning

    Colorless

    word

    ばら色

    Meaning

    Pink, Rose

    word

    水色

    Meaning

    Lightblue

    word

    特色

    Meaning

    Feature, Characteristic

    word

    灰色

    Meaning

    Gray

    word

    色彩

    Meaning

    Color

    word

    肌色

    Meaning

    Skin color

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 勹 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evening

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bird

    kanji

    Meaning

    Phrase, Paragraph

    kanji

    Meaning

    Decameron

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wrap

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fragrance, Scent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flexed, Hooked

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 2 kanji contain the part 巴 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fatten, Fertilize

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grip, Grasp

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 色 mean?

色 means 'Color'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.