(いろど)

いろどる
verb (godan)
to color, to decorate, to add variety
1. to color, to paint, to dye
To apply colors or give color to something. Often used to describe the natural coloring of landscapes, especially autumn foliage.
紅葉(こうよう)(やま)(いろど)る。
Autumn leaves color the mountains.
(さくら)(まち)(うつく)しく(いろど)季節(きせつ)になった。
The season has come when cherry blossoms beautifully color the town.
夕焼(ゆうや)けが(そら)(あか)(いろど)り、一日(いちにち)()わりを()げた。
The sunset colored the sky red, signaling the end of the day.
2. to decorate, to embellish, to add variety to
To make something more vivid, attractive, or varied. Used figuratively for enriching events, meals, or experiences.
食卓(しょくたく)(いろど)料理(りょうり)
Dishes that decorate the dinner table.
音楽(おんがく)がパーティーを(はな)やかに(いろど)った。
Music added a festive touch to the party.
多彩(たさい)なゲストが番組(ばんぐみ)(いろど)り、視聴者(しちょうしゃ)(たの)しませた。
A diverse range of guests enlivened the show and entertained the viewers.

CONJUGATION:
Godan verb ending in る: (いろど)らない, (いろど)ります, (いろど)って, (いろど)れば.

USAGE:
A literary, evocative verb that adds elegance to descriptions. The literal sense (sense 1) is most common in descriptions of nature and seasons. The figurative sense (sense 2) is widely used in food writing, event descriptions, and media.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 食卓(しょくたく)(いろど)る: to decorate the table (with colorful food)
  • 人生(じんせい)(いろど)る: to enrich one's life
  • 四季(しき)(いろど)る: the four seasons add color to