Translation guide
Describes a pale, grayish, or unhealthy complexion, often from shock, illness, or fear. Japanese uses color terms like 青白い (pale/bluish-white) or 土色 (earth-colored), and expressions for losing color from the face.
To describe a face that has lost its normal color, turning pale or grayish due to strong emotion or sickness.
Literally 'blue-white', this is the most common word for a pale, wan complexion, often from fear, shock, or illness. It can also describe pale light or color.
To describe something that is the color of ash, like gray or pale gray.
青白い specifically means pale or bluish-white, often from a sudden shock or fear. 顔色が悪い is a broader term for looking unwell, which can include paleness but also other signs of illness. Use 青白い when the paleness is the main feature, and 顔色が悪い for general poor complexion.
彼は青白い顔で立っていた。
He stood there with a pale face.
今日は顔色が悪いね。寝不足？
You look pale today. Didn't sleep well?
Avoid directly translating 'ashen' as 灰の (hai no) for complexion. It sounds unnatural. Use 青白い or 血の気が引く instead.
彼は恐怖で青白くなった。
He turned pale with fear.
彼女の青白い顔が心配だ。
Her pale face worries me.
A phrase meaning 'the blood drains from one's face', describing the sudden loss of color due to shock or fear. Often used as a verb phrase.
その知らせを聞いて、血の気が引いた。
When I heard the news, the blood drained from my face.
A general phrase meaning 'complexion is bad/poor', often implying paleness or an unhealthy look. Can be used for illness or fatigue.
顔色が悪いけど、大丈夫？
You look pale, are you okay?
Literally 'earth-colored', meaning an ashen, grayish complexion. More literary or dramatic, often used in written descriptions.
彼の顔は土色だった。
His face was ashen.
The standard word for 'gray' or 'ash color'. Can be used for objects, sky, etc.
空は灰色で、雨が降りそうだ。
The sky is ashen and it looks like rain.
A phrase meaning 'like ash', used to describe color or texture. More descriptive than 灰色.
灰のような色の雲が広がっていた。
Ashen clouds spread across the sky.