Release Date: November 21st, 2024

Japanese word for red

The Japanese word for "red" is 赤 (あか /aka/). It’s a common and important color in Japanese culture, appearing in various aspects of daily life, celebrations, and symbols. Let’s explore how the word "red" is used in Japan!

How to use 赤

First of all, here’s how to use "赤 (あか /aka/)"an adjective and a nounexplain the usage of "赤 (あか /aka/)" both as an adjective and a noun in Japanese:

As an Adjective "赤い /akai/ red"

In Japanese, when you use "red" as an adjective, you typically add the ending "い /i/" to the kanji "赤 /aka/" to form "赤い /akai/", which means "red" or "reddish" in an adjectival form.

For example:

赤い花 (あかいはな /akai hana/): Red flower
赤いリンゴ (あかいりんご /akai ringo/): Red apple

When you use "赤い(あかい /akai/)", it directly describes the following noun, similar to how we use "red" in English to describe something. The adjective form changes with tense and politeness.

赤かった (あかかった /aka katta/): It was red (past tense)
赤くない (あかくない /akaku nai/): It is not red (negative form)

As a Noun "赤 /aka/ red" or "赤色 /aka iro/ red color"

When "赤(あか/aka/ red)" is used as a noun, it simply refers to the color "red" itself. In this case, it is written as "赤(あか /aka/ red)" or "赤色(あかいろ /aka iro/ red color)" without any additional endings.

For example:

赤が好きです (あかがすきです /aka ga sukidesu/): I like red.
赤色と青色を混ぜる (あかいろとあおいろをまぜる /aka iro to ao iro o mazeru/): Mix red and blue.

In this form, "赤(あか /aka/ red)" or "赤色(あかいろ /aka iro/ red color)" stands alone as the subject or object of the sentence, meaning the "color red" rather than something that is red. It’s used in contexts where colors themselves are being discussed, without modifying a noun directly.

So, "赤い(あかい /akai/)" is used as an adjective (形容詞けいようし /keiyoushi/) to describe something as red, like 赤いシャツ (/akai shatsu/ red shirt). "赤い(あかい /akai/)" is used as a noun (名詞めいし /meishi/) to refer to the color red itself, like 赤がきれい (/aka ga kirei/ Red is beautiful).

Both forms are important to know in order to use "red" properly in conversation and writing.