Translation guide
A deep blue color between blue and violet, traditionally made from the indigo plant. In Japanese, the most common and natural word is 藍色 (あいいろ), but there are several related terms depending on shade, context, and tradition.
The standard deep blue color, like that of indigo dye or denim.
The most common and neutral word for indigo blue. Used in everyday contexts for the color itself.
彼女は藍色のワンピースを着ていた。
She was wearing an indigo blue dress.
この藍色のインクはとてもきれいだ。
This indigo blue ink is very beautiful.
Loanword from English, often used in fashion, design, or when referring to the color in a modern or international context.
インディゴブルーのジーンズが好きです。
I like indigo blue jeans.
The specific shade of blue produced by traditional Japanese indigo dyeing (aizome), often with cultural connotations.
Refers to the indigo plant, the dye, or the color itself. Often used in traditional contexts. Can be combined with other words like 藍染め (aizome, indigo dyeing).
この藍の暖簾は職人が手染めしたものです。
This indigo blue curtain was hand-dyed by a craftsman.
藍の色は深くて落ち着いている。
The color of indigo is deep and calming.
Literally 'the color of indigo dyeing'. Used when emphasizing the dyeing technique or the traditional process.
藍染めの色は洗うたびに変化する。
The indigo blue color changes with each wash.
Japanese has many traditional color names for different shades of indigo. These are often used in art, design, or historical contexts.
A dark, metallic indigo blue, literally 'indigo iron color'. Used in traditional Japanese color naming.
藍鉄色の器は渋い雰囲気を出す。
The indigo-iron colored bowl gives off a subdued atmosphere.
A very dark indigo, historically associated with samurai and victory because 'kachi' sounds like 'to win'. Sometimes called 褐色 (same reading).
武士は勝色の鎧を好んだ。
Samurai favored indigo blue armor (for its auspicious meaning).
A very light indigo, literally 'peeking into the dye vat', referring to the color of fabric just dipped once.
藍色 is the standard color word. 藍 often refers to the dye or plant, but can mean the color in traditional contexts. インディゴブルー is a modern loanword, common in fashion and design.
藍 is often used in compounds like 藍染め (indigo dyeing), 藍色 (indigo color), 藍師 (indigo dyer). It's not usually used alone to mean the color in casual speech.
瓶覗は藍染めの一番淡い色です。
Kamenozoki is the lightest shade of indigo dyeing.