1.
pink, peach-colored
A soft pink color reminiscent of peach blossoms. One of the traditional Japanese color names.
桃色のリボンをつけた。
I put on a pink ribbon.
空が桃色に染まった。
The sky was tinged pink.
春の庭には桃色の花がたくさん咲いている。
Many pink flowers bloom in the spring garden.
2.
romantic, amorous
Used figuratively to describe matters related to love, romance, or sexual affairs. Similar to English 'rosy' in the romantic sense.
桃色の噂が広まった。
Romantic rumors spread.
あの二人は桃色の関係らしい。
Those two apparently have a romantic relationship.
芸能人の桃色スキャンダルがニュースになった。
The celebrity's love scandal made the news.
USAGE:
As a color term, 桃色 is a traditional Japanese color name referring to a soft pink. In modern usage, ピンク is more commonly used for the color pink in everyday conversation, while 桃色 retains a more traditional or literary feel.
The figurative sense — romantic or amorous — appears in set phrases like 桃色の噂 (romantic rumor) and 桃色スキャンダル (love scandal). This usage is somewhat old-fashioned but still understood.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 桃色の噂: romantic rumor
- 桃色スキャンダル: love scandal
- 桃色に染まる: to turn pink