色素(しきそ)

A compound of 色(しき) (color) and 素(そ) (element, substance). Used broadly in biology, medicine, food science, and cosmetics to refer to any substance responsible for color.

Common collocations

• 色素(しきそ)沈着(ちんちゃく) — pigmentation (deposit of pigment in skin)
• 人工(じんこう)色素(しきそ) — artificial coloring
• 天然(てんねん)色素(しきそ) — natural pigment
• 色素(しきそ)が薄(うす)い — to have light pigmentation
• メラニン色素(しきそ) — melanin pigment

Related words

• 着色料(ちゃくしょくりょう) — coloring agent (for food/products)
• 染料(せんりょう) — dye (for fabrics)
• 顔料(がんりょう) — pigment (for paints and inks)