Colour and four basics
Word sets, Stage 2chunk 15 of 21Colours
Ask what colour something is and call it red, white, black or blue.
Mix-ups aoi also covers green traffic lights, but grass is midori.
iro
colour
nani iro? asks what colour something is.
kiiro, chairo and haiiro all end in this word.
kuruma, nani iro ni shita no?
What colour did you go with for the car?
車、何色にしたの？
kuruma wa nani iro ni shimashita ka?
What colour did you choose for the car?
車は何色にしましたか？
Written 色 · いろRank #1136 in 3,030 TV dramas
akai
polite akai desu
red
Adjective form, before a noun: akai kuruma.
kao ga akai = your face is red (embarrassed or drunk).
ano akai kaban, kawaii ne.
That red bag is cute.
あの赤いかばん、かわいいね。
ano akai kaban, kawaii desu ne.
That red bag is cute, isn't it.
あの赤いかばん、かわいいですね。
Written 赤い · あかい · 赤いですRank #1711 in 3,030 TV dramas
shiroi
polite shiroi desu
white
Also 'pale' for skin: hada ga shiroi.
atarashii shiroi shatsu, mou yogorechatta.
I already got my new white shirt dirty.
新しい白いシャツ、もう汚れちゃった。
atarashii shiroi shatsu ga mou yogorete shimaimashita.
My new white shirt has already got dirty.
新しい白いシャツがもう汚れてしまいました。
Written 白い · しろい · 白いですRank #1914 in 3,030 TV dramas
kuroi
polite kuroi desu
black; dark
Also 'tanned': hi ni yakete kuroi.
kuroi kutsu shika mottenai.
I only own black shoes.
黒い靴しか持ってない。
kuroi kutsu shika motte imasen.
I only own black shoes.
黒い靴しか持っていません。
Written 黒い · くろい · 黒いですRank #2477 in 3,030 TV dramas
aoi
polite aoi desu
blue; green (traffic lights, leaves)
Also covers green traffic lights and fresh greenery.
kaoiro ga aoi = you look pale.
kyou, sora ga sugoku aoi ne.
The sky's so blue today.
今日、空がすごく青いね。
kyou wa sora ga totemo aoi desu ne.
The sky is very blue today, isn't it.
今日は空がとても青いですね。
Written 青い · あおい · 青いですRank #3078 in 3,030 TV dramas