真(ま)っ青(さお)

まっさお

na-adjective, noun

deep blue; pale (from shock/fear)

1. deep blue; bright blue

Intensely blue in color, typically describing sky or sea.

真(ま)っ青(さお)な空(そら)だ。

It's a deep blue sky.

The sea was a beautiful deep blue.

Under the deep blue sky, the children were running around energetically.

2. pale; ashen

Having lost color in the face due to shock, fear, or illness.

顔(かお)が真(ま)っ青(さお)になった。

My face turned pale.

Upon hearing the news, my face turned pale.

財布(さいふ)をなくしたことに気(き)づいて、真(ま)っ青(さお)になって探(さが)し回(まわ)った。

When I realized I had lost my wallet, I turned pale and searched all over.

真(ま)っ (emphatic prefix) + 青(あお)→青(さお) (blue)
Note the sound change from あお to さお.

This word has seemingly opposite meanings:
1. Deep, vivid blue (positive)
2. Pale, ashen (negative - loss of color from fear/shock)

Context makes the meaning clear.

Related Words

general

Added 2026.1.20 21:57 · Revised 2026.10.4 9:59

07500/07615_massao