1.
vermillion; cinnabar red
A vivid red-orange color traditionally derived from cinnabar (mercury sulfide), associated with shrines and traditional art.
朱に染まった鳥居。
A torii gate painted in vermillion.
朱の色が鮮やかだ。
The vermillion color is vivid.
先生が朱で答案を添削した。
The teacher corrected the exam paper in red ink.
漆器に朱を塗って仕上げる。
Finish the lacquerware by applying vermillion.
A vivid red-orange color that has deep cultural significance in Japan. Originally referred to cinnabar, the mineral pigment used to produce the color.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 朱に染まる: be dyed vermillion
- 朱色: vermillion (the color name)
- 朱塗り: vermillion-lacquered
- 朱を入れる: add corrections in red; also, to make corrections or revisions
- 朱肉: red ink pad (for stamps)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 赤: red — the general word for red; 朱 is more orange-tinged and culturally specific
- 紅/紅: crimson, deep red — a cooler, bluer red than 朱
- 丹: red earth pigment — an older, more literary word for red pigment
CULTURAL NOTE:
Vermillion is the iconic color of Shinto 鳥居 gates and many shrine buildings. It was believed to ward off evil spirits. The expression 朱に交われば赤くなる ("if you mix with vermillion, you turn red") is a proverb meaning you are influenced by the company you keep.