青色(あおいろ)

The noun form of the color 青(あお) (blue). While 青(あお) can function as both noun and prefix, 青色(あおいろ) specifically names the color and is used when precision is needed, such as in forms, descriptions, or official contexts.

Common collocations

• 青色(あおいろ)申告(しんこく): blue tax return (a type of detailed tax filing in Japan)
• 青色(あおいろ)の信号(しんごう): green traffic light (called "blue" in Japanese)
• 青色(あおいろ)ダイオード: blue LED

Cultural note

Japanese 青(あお) traditionally covers both blue and green. Traffic lights that are objectively green are called 青(あお) in Japanese. The word 青色(あおいろ)申告(しんこく) is important in Japanese tax law — it refers to a detailed bookkeeping method that offers tax deductions.

Similar words

• 青(あお): blue — the basic color word; 青色(あおいろ) is more specific as a color name
• 水色(みずいろ): light blue — a lighter shade
• 紺色(こんいろ): navy blue — a darker shade
• 藍色(あいいろ): indigo — the traditional Japanese dye color