Japanese Conversation · Level 44
90 words
Japanese word
紺
Pronunciation
Romajikon
Meaning
- nounnavy blue
Example
このシャツは紺です。ko no sha tsu wa kon de su
This shirt is navy blue.
More examples
仕事では紺のジャケットをよく着ます。shi goto de wa kon no ja ke tto o yo ku ki ma su
I often wear a navy jacket at work.
Core concept
It refers to blue at the dark end of the color range, close to black but still clearly blue.
Common phrases
紺のスーツkon no sū tsu
navy suit
紺の制服kon no sei fuku
navy uniform
紺のネクタイkon no ne ku ta i
navy tie
Similar words
紺色koniro: The full color term for a dark blue that is close to black.
Definition in Japanese
青に黒みが加わったような濃い青色。ao ni kuro mi ga kuwa wa tta yō na ko i ao iro
Word origin
紺 (kon, "navy blue") comes from the Chinese color term 紺 and uses 糸 (ito, "thread") as its meaning element and 甘 (kan, "sweet") as its sound element.
Usage tips
- Japanese clothing descriptions often use 紺 (kon) for dark blue jackets, suits, and school uniforms, much as English uses navy for formal clothing.