1.
blue; the color blue
The color blue. In Japanese color terminology, 青 covers a broad range from blue to blue-green, and 青色 specifies the color itself as a noun.
空は青色だ。
The sky is blue.
青色のペンを取ってください。
Please pass me the blue pen.
信号が青色に変わったら渡ってください。
Please cross when the traffic light turns green.
The noun form of the color 青 (blue). While 青 can function as both noun and prefix, 青色 specifically names the color and is used when precision is needed, such as in forms, descriptions, or official contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 青色申告: blue tax return (a type of detailed tax filing in Japan)
- 青色の信号: green traffic light (called "blue" in Japanese)
- 青色ダイオード: blue LED
CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese 青 traditionally covers both blue and green. Traffic lights that are objectively green are called 青 in Japanese. The word 青色申告 is important in Japanese tax law — it refers to a detailed bookkeeping method that offers tax deductions.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 青: blue — the basic color word; 青色 is more specific as a color name
- 水色: light blue — a lighter shade
- 紺色: navy blue — a darker shade
- 藍色: indigo — the traditional Japanese dye color