Translation guide
The color green, as well as related concepts like environmentalism, inexperience, and traffic signals. Japanese has multiple words for green, with 緑 (midori) being the most common. Note that some things called 'green' in English are described with 青 (ao, blue) in Japanese, such as green traffic lights and green apples.
Describing something as green in color.
The standard word for the color green. Used for most green objects.
この緑のシャツが好きです。
I like this green shirt.
山が緑で覆われている。
The mountains are covered in green.
Loanword from English, often used in compound words or trendy contexts, like fashion or branding.
グリーンのカーテンが爽やかだね。
The green curtains are refreshing, aren't they?
Historically, 青 covered both blue and green. Still used for certain green things like traffic lights, green apples, and green vegetables.
Using 青 for general green objects will sound like 'blue'. Only use in fixed expressions.
青りんご
green apple
Referring to environmentalism, sustainability, or eco-friendly products.
Means 'environmentally friendly'. The most natural way to express 'green' in an environmental context.
環境に優しい製品を選びましょう。
Let's choose green products.
Short for 'ecological', commonly used in compounds like エコバッグ (eco-bag).
エコバッグを持って買い物に行く。
I go shopping with a green bag.
Sometimes used in environmental contexts, like グリーンエネルギー (green energy), but less common than 環境に優しい or エコ.
Describing someone who is new or inexperienced.
Means 'immature' or 'inexperienced'. Can be used for people who are 'green' in a role.
彼はまだ未熟な新人だ。
He's still a green newcomer.
Literally 'blue', but idiomatically means 'inexperienced' or 'green'. Common in phrases like 青二才 (greenhorn).
Literally 'new rice', used for a novice or newcomer, similar to 'greenhorn'.
Referring to the green light on a traffic signal.
The standard term for a green traffic light. Note that it uses 青 (blue) instead of 緑.
青信号になったら渡りましょう。
Let's cross when the light turns green.
Phrase meaning 'the light turns green'.
信号が青になるのを待っている。
I'm waiting for the light to turn green.
Referring to green vegetables or leafy greens.
General term for green leafy vegetables.
青菜をたくさん食べなさい。
Eat plenty of greens.
Referring to green tea.
The standard word for green tea.
毎朝緑茶を飲みます。
I drink green tea every morning.
General word for tea, which in Japan usually implies green tea. Use this in casual contexts.
お茶でも飲まない？
How about some green tea?
In Japanese, a green traffic light is called 青信号 (あおしんごう), literally 'blue signal'. Do not use 緑信号. This is a fixed expression.
信号が青になった。
The light turned green.
緑 (midori) is the standard word for green. 青 (ao) is used for green only in certain traditional or fixed expressions (e.g., 青りんご green apple, 青々とした fresh green). Using 青 for a green car would be understood as blue.
芝生は緑です。
The grass is green.
彼女はまだ仕事に未熟だ。
She is still green at her job.
もっと環境に優しい製品を買うべきだ。
We should buy more green products.
グリーンエネルギーへの転換が必要だ。
A shift to green energy is necessary.
Your thinking is still green.
新米ドライバーだから、運転がぎこちない。
He's a green driver, so his driving is awkward.
Refers to green and yellow vegetables, often used in nutritional contexts.
緑黄色野菜にはビタミンが豊富だ。
Green vegetables are rich in vitamins.