Translation guide
The color grey, and related expressions for dullness, ambiguity, or aging.
Describing something that is grey in color.
The most common and neutral word for the color grey.
彼は灰色のスーツを着ている。
He is wearing a grey suit.
Loanword from English, often used in fashion, design, or when describing shades.
このグレーのセーターが好きです。
I like this grey sweater.
Literally 'mouse color', a traditional Japanese term for grey. Less common in modern speech.
鼠色の着物を着た女性。
A woman wearing a grey kimono.
Referring to hair that has turned grey or white with age.
The standard word for grey/white hair. Note that Japanese uses 'white hair' rather than 'grey hair'.
最近白髪が増えてきた。
I've been getting more grey hair lately.
Describes hair that is starting to grey, literally 'mixed with white hair'.
Describing weather, atmosphere, or mood that is grey and depressing.
An onomatopoeic word for a dull, overcast sky or a gloomy atmosphere.
今日は空がどんよりしている。
The sky is grey and overcast today.
Means 'cloudy', often used for grey skies.
曇った灰色の空。
A cloudy grey sky.
Referring to a situation that is not clearly defined, a grey area.
Direct loan translation of 'grey zone', commonly used in legal or ethical contexts.
それは法律のグレーゾーンだ。
That's a legal grey area.
A more native Japanese phrase meaning 'ambiguous area'.
その問題はあいまいな領域にある。
The issue lies in a grey area.
When talking about hair turning grey, Japanese uses 白髪 (しらが), which literally means 'white hair'. Using 灰色の髪 (grey-colored hair) would sound unnatural.
彼は白髪交じりの髪をしている。
He has greying hair.