Translation guide
A substance used to impart color to something, such as food, textiles, or cosmetics. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 着色料 (chakushokuryō), especially for food additives. Other terms exist for dyes, pigments, and coloring agents in specific contexts.
The most common use of 'colorant' in everyday English refers to food coloring or additives used to change the color of food and drinks.
The standard term for food coloring or color additive. Used on ingredient labels and in everyday conversation about food.
このお菓子には着色料が使われています。
This candy contains colorants.
着色料不使用のジュースを買った。
I bought juice with no artificial colorants.
Specifically 'food colorant' or 'food coloring'. More precise than 着色料 alone, often used in formal or technical contexts.
食品着色料は天然由来のものもあります。
Some food colorants are derived from natural sources.
Refers to synthetic or artificial colorants, often contrasted with natural ones. Common in discussions about food safety.
合成着色料は避けたいです。
I want to avoid synthetic colorants.
When 'colorant' refers to a dye used to color fabrics, hair, or in arts and crafts.
General term for dye, used for textiles, hair, and other materials. Not typically used for food.
この染料は絹によく染まります。
This dye works well on silk.
髪を染料で染めた。
I dyed my hair with a colorant.
Powdered dye, often used for home dyeing of clothes. More casual and specific to powder form.
染め粉でTシャツを染め直した。
I re-dyed my T-shirt with powdered colorant.
Specifically hair dye or the act of dyeing hair. Often used in compound words like 毛染め剤 (hair coloring agent).
市販の毛染めを使っています。
I use a store-bought hair colorant.
When 'colorant' refers to a pigment used in art supplies, printing, plastics, or other industrial applications.
Pigment, an insoluble coloring substance used in paints, inks, and plastics. Distinct from dyes which dissolve.
この絵の具は天然顔料を使っています。
This paint uses natural pigments.
プラスチックに顔料を混ぜて色をつける。
Colorant is mixed into the plastic to give it color.
A broader term for any coloring agent, including both dyes and pigments. Used in industrial and cosmetic contexts.
Technical term for coloring materials, often used in chemistry or materials science. Covers both dyes and pigments.
色材の研究をしています。
I research colorants.
When 'colorant' refers to ingredients that add color to cosmetics like lipstick, eyeshadow, or blush.
Also used for cosmetic colorants, though often specified as 化粧品着色料. In context, 着色料 alone can be understood.
口紅に使われる着色料は安全ですか？
Are the colorants used in lipstick safe?
Pigments used in makeup, especially mineral-based products. Often found in ingredient lists.
着色料 (chakushokuryō) is the most general term for food and cosmetic colorants. 染料 (senryō) is specifically for dyes that dissolve and are used on textiles or hair. 顔料 (ganryō) refers to pigments that do not dissolve and are used in paints, inks, and plastics. Use 着色料 for food, 染料 for fabric/hair dyeing, and 顔料 for art/industrial pigments.
食品には着色料、布には染料、絵の具には顔料。
Colorants for food, dyes for cloth, pigments for paints.
The direct loanword カララント (kararanto) is not commonly used in Japanese. It may appear in some technical contexts but sounds unnatural in everyday speech. Stick to the native terms above.
この化粧品には天然の着色剤が含まれています。
This cosmetic contains natural colorants.
ミネラルファンデーションには顔料が使われています。
Mineral foundations use pigments as colorants.