Japanese word

色合い

Pronunciation

Romajiiroai

Meaning

  • nounhue

Example

この絵の色合いは落ち着いています。ko no e no iro a i wa o chi tsu i te i ma su

The hues in this painting are subdued.

Illustration for 色合い (hue)

More examples

この部屋には、木の家具に合う自然な色合いのカーテンが必要です。ko no heya ni wa ki no ka gu ni a u shi zen na iro a i no kā te n ga hitsu yō de su

This room needs curtains in a natural hue that matches the wooden furniture.

Core concept

Refers to the particular character a color takes on through its tint, intensity, and visual balance.

Common phrases

  • 鮮やかな色合いaza ya ka na iro a i

    vivid hues

  • 自然な色合いshi zen na iro a i

    natural hues

  • 色合いを組み合わせるiro a i o ku mi a wa se ru

    combine hues

Similar words

色味iromi: The noticeable color character of an object, material, or image.
色調shikichō: The overall character of a color or group of colors in an image or design.
色相shikisō: The basic position of a color within the color spectrum.

Definition in Japanese

色が持つ赤みや青み、明るさ、濃さなどの組み合わせによって感じられる調子。iro ga mo tsu aka mi ya ao mi aka ru sa ko sa na do no ku mi a wa se ni yo tte kan ji ra re ru chō shi

Word origin

The Japanese compound 色合い (iroai) consists of 色 (iro, "color") and 合い (ai, "quality or state"), so its form connects color with the quality or state it shows.

Usage tips

  • In English, hue often appears in discussions of painting, photography, fashion, and design when a specific color character matters more than color in general.

Other meanings

  • shadenoun
  • tonenoun

Word lists with this word