Japanese word

青

Pronunciation

Romajiao

Meaning

  • nounblue

Example

これは青です。ko re wa ao de su

This is blue.

Illustration for 青 (blue)

More examples

青が好きです。ao ga su ki de su

I like blue.

この絵は青を基調にしています。ko no e wa ao o ki chō ni shi te i ma su

This painting uses blue as its main color.

Core concept

Refers to blue as a color and sometimes includes nearby blue-green colors within the same range.

Common phrases

  • 青のペンao no pe n

    blue pen

  • 青が好きao ga su ki

    like blue

Similar words

ブルーburū: A loanword for the color blue, often used in names, labels, and casual expressions.
水色mizuiro: A pale blue color with a light, soft appearance.
紺色koniro: A very dark blue color often associated with formal clothing and school uniforms.

Definition in Japanese

晴れた空や深い海のような色。ha re ta sora ya fuka i umi no yō na iro

Word origin

The Japanese native word 青 (ao, "blue") appears in Old Japanese as awo, but no certain explanation of its older origin is established.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 青信号 (ao shingō) for the green light that allows traffic to proceed, while English normally calls the same light green.

Opposites

Related words

  • 青みaomibluish tintnoun
  • 青さaosabluenessnoun

Word lists with this word