Translation guide
A vivid reddish-orange color. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 朱色 (shuiro), but there are several traditional red pigments with distinct nuances.
To refer to the bright reddish-orange color in everyday contexts.
The standard Japanese word for vermilion. Used in both casual and formal settings.
彼女は朱色のドレスを着ていた。
She was wearing a vermilion dress.
朱色の鳥居が印象的だ。
The vermilion torii gate is striking.
A shorter, slightly more technical or traditional term for vermilion. Often used in compound words or artistic contexts.
朱の絵の具を使う。
I use vermilion paint.
Loanword from English. Used mainly in fashion, design, or when referring to the Western color name.
バーミリオンの口紅が欲しい。
I want a vermilion lipstick.
To refer specifically to the pigment made from cinnabar, used in traditional arts and crafts.
Refers to the mineral cinnabar and the pigment derived from it. Used in historical and artistic contexts.
この仏画には辰砂が使われている。
Cinnabar (vermilion) is used in this Buddhist painting.
An older term for cinnabar or red earth pigment. Often appears in place names and traditional terms.
丹を塗った社殿。
A shrine building coated with vermilion.
To describe the iconic vermilion color seen at Shinto shrines and temples.
Means 'vermilion-lacquered'. Commonly used to describe torii gates, shrine buildings, and traditional crafts.
朱塗りの鳥居が並んでいる。
Vermilion-lacquered torii gates are lined up.
Similar to 朱塗り but uses the older term 丹. Often found in historical descriptions.
丹塗りの社殿が美しい。
The vermilion-lacquered shrine building is beautiful.
朱色 (shuiro) is a specific reddish-orange, while 赤 (aka) is generic red. 紅色 (beniiro) is a deeper crimson. Use 朱色 when you want to emphasize the orange undertone.
Vermilion is considered a sacred color in Shinto, symbolizing protection and vitality. It is widely used in torii gates and shrine architecture.