Translation guide
The English verb 'fade' covers several related ideas: losing color, brightness, or intensity; gradually disappearing or becoming weaker; and in audio/video, smoothly transitioning volume or scenes. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is fading and how.
Express that a color, photograph, or fabric has lost its original vividness due to sunlight, washing, or age.
The most common and natural verb for colors fading. Used for clothes, paintings, photographs, etc.
このシャツは洗濯で色あせてしまった。
This shirt has faded from washing.
日に当たると色があせます。
The color fades when exposed to sunlight.
A more formal or technical term for fading, often used in written descriptions or product warnings.
この染料は退色しにくいです。
This dye is resistant to fading.
Literally 'sunburn,' but can be used for things that fade or discolor due to sunlight, like paper or fabric. Not the primary word for color fading.
カーテンが日焼けして色が薄くなった。
The curtains faded (from sun exposure) and the color became lighter.
Express that something gradually becomes less intense and eventually disappears, such as sound, light, memories, or emotions.
Literally 'go and disappear,' this phrase emphasizes the gradual process of vanishing. Very natural for sounds, lights, and abstract things.
音楽がだんだん消えていった。
The music gradually faded away.
その記憶は時間とともに消えていった。
The memory faded with time.
Means to become thin, weak, or dim. Commonly used for memories, feelings, consciousness, and light.
Means to weaken or diminish. Suitable for sounds, winds, or forces that lose strength.
Loanword from English 'fade out,' used mainly in technical contexts like audio or video production.
曲の最後で音をフェードアウトさせてください。
Please fade out the sound at the end of the song.
Describe a smooth transition where sound or image gradually appears or disappears, as in film or music production.
Standard term for 'fade in' in media contexts.
映像がフェードインしてタイトルが表示された。
The image faded in and the title appeared.
Standard term for 'fade out' in media contexts.
音楽がフェードアウトして場面が変わった。
The music faded out and the scene changed.
A non-technical way to say 'gradually disappear,' can be used for fade-out in everyday speech.
画面が徐々に消えていった。
The screen gradually faded out.
Express that something like a flower, a person's beauty, or vitality has withered or declined over time.
Specifically for flowers or plants wilting. Can be used metaphorically for a person losing energy.
花がしおれてしまった。
The flowers have faded/wilted.
Means to decline or weaken, used for beauty, strength, or vitality fading with age.
色あせる is specifically for colors losing vividness. 薄れる is for intangible things like memories, feelings, or consciousness becoming dim. 消えていく emphasizes the gradual process of disappearing and works for sounds, lights, and abstract concepts.
フェード (fēdo) is a loanword used almost exclusively in technical media contexts. For colors fading or sounds dying away, use native Japanese verbs like 色あせる or 消えていく.
カーテンの色があせた。
The color of the curtains faded.
電車の音が遠くに消えていった。
The sound of the train faded into the distance.
痛みがだんだん薄れてきた。
The pain gradually faded.
意識が薄れていった。
My consciousness faded away.
風の音が弱まっていった。
The sound of the wind faded.
彼女の美しさは年とともに衰えなかった。
Her beauty did not fade with age.