Translation guide
The color pink in Japanese is most commonly expressed with the loanword ピンク. There are also traditional Japanese color terms like 桃色 (peach color) and 桜色 (cherry blossom color) that convey similar hues with cultural nuances.
Referring to the color pink in everyday contexts, such as describing objects, clothing, or preferences.
The most common and versatile word for pink, used in all contexts from casual to formal. It is a loanword from English and is widely understood.
彼女はピンクのドレスを着ていた。
She was wearing a pink dress.
ピンクが好きですか？
Do you like pink?
Literally 'peach color', this is a traditional Japanese word for a soft, warm pink. It is slightly more poetic or literary than ピンク, but still common in product names and descriptions.
桃色の花が咲いた。
Pink flowers bloomed.
Literally 'cherry blossom color', referring to the pale, delicate pink of cherry blossoms. It is used in poetic or aesthetic contexts, often evoking spring and Japanese tradition.
桜色の空が美しい。
The cherry-blossom-pink sky is beautiful.
Talking about pink as a color category or concept.
Used as a noun to refer to the color pink itself.
ピンクは女の子の色と思われがちだ。
Pink is often thought of as a girl's color.
Can be used as a noun, but less common than ピンク in abstract discussions.
Describing an object or thing as pink in color.
The standard way to say 'pink [noun]'. ピンク is a noun, so it needs の to modify another noun.
ピンクのシャツを買った。
I bought a pink shirt.
ピンクの壁がかわいい。
The pink wall is cute.
A more traditional or literary way to say 'pink [noun]'.
桃色のリボンをつけた。
I put on a pink ribbon.
The English idiom 'in the pink' meaning in good health. This is not directly translatable to Japanese using color words.
The idiom 'in the pink' does not have a direct Japanese equivalent using pink. Instead, use expressions like 元気 (げんき, healthy/energetic) or 健康 (けんこう, health).
彼はとても元気だ。
He is in the pink.
祖母は健康そのものだ。
My grandmother is the picture of health.
Referring to pink as a symbol of leftist or socialist politics, sometimes called 'pinko' in English slang.
Means 'left-wing'. The color association is not as strong in Japanese, so it's better to use the political term directly.
彼は左翼の政治家だ。
He is a left-wing politician.
In some contexts, ピンク can be used metaphorically for leftist leanings, but it is rare and may not be understood without explanation.
ピンク is the default, neutral word for pink. 桃色 is a traditional Japanese color name that feels softer and more natural, often used in literature or product names. 桜色 is specifically the pale pink of cherry blossoms and is highly seasonal and poetic. Use ピンク for everyday conversation, 桃色 for a slightly more refined or traditional feel, and 桜色 for evocative, spring-related imagery.
The English idiom 'in the pink' (meaning healthy) has no direct Japanese equivalent using the word pink. Translating it literally as ピンクの中にいる would be nonsensical. Use 元気 or 健康 instead.
桃色は優しい印象を与える。
Pink gives a gentle impression.
He's a bit pinko, isn't he?