緑(みどり)

緑(みどり) is a noun used both for the color green and for greenery/nature. As a noun, it modifies other nouns with の: 緑(みどり)の木(き) (green trees).

USAGE (color vs. greenery):

• 緑(みどり)のペン: a green pen (color)
• 緑(みどり)が多(おお)い: lots of greenery (nature)
• 緑(みどり)豊(ゆた)かな: rich in greenery

Cultural note

In traditional Japanese, 青(あお) (blue) covered both blue and green. Even today, green traffic lights and green vegetables are called 青(あお): 青(あお)信号(しんごう) (green light), 青(あお)野菜(やさい) (green vegetables). 緑(みどり) as a distinct color word became more common with Western influence.

Compounds

• 緑茶(りょくちゃ): green tea
• 緑地(りょくち): green space
• 新緑(しんりょく): fresh green leaves (of spring)