1.
hair color; the color of one's hair
The color or shade of a person's hair, whether natural or dyed. A common topic in Japanese conversation, especially regarding fashion and school/workplace rules.
髪色を変えた。
I changed my hair color.
明るい髪色は校則で禁止されている。
Bright hair colors are prohibited by school rules.
最近は自然な髪色が流行しているらしい。
Apparently, natural-looking hair colors are trendy recently.
A straightforward compound of 髪 (hair) + 色 (color). In Japan, hair color is a culturally significant topic because many schools and workplaces have rules about acceptable hair colors. Students and employees may be required to maintain natural black hair, and hair dyeing can be controversial.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 髪色を変える: to change one's hair color
- 明るい髪色: bright/light hair color
- 暗い髪色: dark hair color
- 地毛の髪色: natural hair color
- 髪色自由: freedom to choose hair color (often in job listings)
CULTURAL NOTE:
Many Japanese schools enforce 地毛証明書 (natural hair color certificates) for students whose natural hair is not black, requiring proof that their lighter color is natural.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ヘアカラー: hair color — refers more to the dye/coloring product or service, not the color itself
- 髪型: hairstyle — the shape or cut of the hair, not its color
- 毛色: fur/hair color — used primarily for animals, not people