Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'flesh color' is most commonly expressed as 肌色 (hadairo), literally 'skin color'. However, this term has become controversial due to its implication of a single, light skin tone. Modern alternatives like ペールオレンジ (pale orange) or うすだいだい (light orange) are increasingly used, especially in official contexts. The choice depends on whether you are referring to the traditional color name, a crayon, or describing actual skin tones.
Referring to the conventional light pinkish-beige color historically called 'flesh color' in English.
The direct equivalent, literally 'skin color'. Widely understood but now considered problematic. Still used in everyday conversation, but many institutions are phasing it out.
Avoid in formal or public contexts due to racial sensitivity. Use alternatives below.
このクレヨンは肌色です。
This crayon is flesh-colored.
Modern replacement for 'flesh color' in many Japanese crayon sets and official color names. Literally 'pale orange'.
新しいクレヨンセットには、肌色の代わりにペールオレンジが入っています。
The new crayon set includes pale orange instead of flesh color.
Another alternative meaning 'light orange'. Used in some official color charts.
この色はうすだいだいと呼ばれています。
This color is called light orange.
Talking about the color of a person's skin in a descriptive, non-problematic way.
Literally 'color of skin'. This is the neutral way to refer to someone's skin tone without implying a single standard.
人によって肌の色は違います。
Skin color varies from person to person.
Borrowed from English 'skin tone'. Common in cosmetics and fashion contexts.
ファンデーションは肌のトーンに合わせて選びます。
Choose foundation that matches your skin tone.
Mixing paints or describing a flesh tone in artistic contexts.
Refers to flesh-toned paints. The phrase 肌色系 (hadairo-kei) means 'flesh color family' and is less absolute than just 肌色.
ポートレートには肌色系の絵の具を何色か混ぜます。
For portraits, I mix several flesh-toned paints.
The term 肌色 was officially removed from Japanese crayon sets in the early 2000s and replaced with ペールオレンジ (pale orange) or うすだいだい (light orange). Using 肌色 to describe a person's skin can be offensive. When in doubt, use 肌の色 (hadanoiro) or 肌のトーン (hadanotōn) for skin tone, and ペールオレンジ for the crayon color.
肌色 is the traditional term but is now avoided in official contexts. ペールオレンジ is the most common replacement in everyday items like stationery. うすだいだい is also used but is less common in consumer products. All three refer to roughly the same light orange-pink hue.
昔は肌色と言っていましたが、今はペールオレンジと言います。
We used to call it flesh color, but now we say pale orange.
彼女は人物を肌色系の色で塗った。
She painted the figure with flesh tones.