紫(むらさき)

むらさき
noun, no-adjective
purple, violet
slangcolor
1. purple, violet (color)
A color between red and blue.
紫(むらさき)の花(はな)が咲(さ)いている。
Purple flowers are blooming.
この着物(きもの)は紫(むらさき)色(いろ)だ。
This kimono is purple.
日本(にほん)では古来(こらい)、紫(むらさき)は高貴(こうき)な色(いろ)とされてきた。
In Japan, purple has traditionally been considered a noble color.
2. soy sauce (slang)
A slang term for soy sauce, especially at sushi restaurants.
紫(むらさき)をください。
Please give me soy sauce.
At a sushi restaurant
紫(むらさき)をもう少(すこ)しください。
Please give me a little more soy sauce.
At a sushi restaurant
寿司屋(すしや)では醤油(しょうゆ)のことを紫(むらさき)と呼(よ)ぶ。
At sushi restaurants, soy sauce is called 'murasaki'.

紫(むらさき) is the color purple. In traditional Japan, purple was associated with nobility and high rank.

Common expressions

Sushi restaurant slang

紫(むらさき) is used to mean 'soy sauce' at sushi restaurants, along with other special terms like:

Etymology

Purple dye was expensive and difficult to produce, so 紫(むらさき) became associated with royalty and high status in Japan.

general
Added 2026.1.13 9:40 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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