Japanese word for purple

When you start learning Japanese, discovering the words for colors is a fun and practical way to expand your vocabulary. One of these interesting colors is purple, which is called 紫 (むらさき /murasaki/) in Japanese.

How to Use 紫 /murasaki/

Just like other color words, "紫 (むらさき /murasaki/) " can be used in everyday conversation. Here's how you might use it in a sentence:

How to use 紫 as a noun

"紫 (むらさき /murasaki/) " is a noun that means "purple." You can use it like any other noun. In this case, it is often used as "紫色(むらさきいろ /murasaki iro/ purple color" with the word “色(いろ /iro/ color)” added.

• 私(わたし)は紫色(むらさきいろ)が好(す)きです。
  /Watashi wa murasaki iro ga suki desu/
  I like purple color.

• 紫色(むらさきいろ)の花(はな)はとても美(うつく)しいです。
  /Murasaki-iro no hana wa totemo utsukushii desu/
  Purple flowers are very beautiful.

How to use 紫 like as an adjective

To use "紫 (むらさき /murasaki/) " as an adjective, you add "の /no/" before the noun.

• 紫(むらさき)の花(はな)
  /murasaki no hana/
  Purple flower

• 紫(むらさき)のドレス
  /murasaki no doresu/
  Purple dress

Summary

• Noun: "紫 (むらさき /murasaki/) stands alone or with "色 いろ /iro/" (e.g., 紫が好きです).
• Adjective: "紫の" describes a noun (e.g., 紫(むらさき)の花(はな) /murasaki no hana/ purple flower).