
Key Phrases
いろ
iro
Color
あかるいいろ
akarui iro
Light color
くらいいろ
kurai iro
Dark color
Skills You'll Learn
Identifying colors
いろのはんべつ
iro no wa n betsu
Describing colors
いろのせつめい
iro no setsumei
Using color vocabulary in sentences
いろのたんごをぶんしょうでつかう
iro no tango o bunshou de tsukau
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
色
iro
Color
赤
aka
Red
青
ao
Blue
💬 [青] often covers both blue and some things English calls green, depending on context. For example, a green traffic light is usually called [青信号].
See breakdown →黄
kiiro
Yellow
緑
midori
Green
黒
kuro
Black
白
shiro
White
明るい色
akarui iro
Light color
💬 With color words, [い] at the end often turns them into "-colored" or descriptive words, like [明るい色] for a light color. You can swap in other [い] words the same way: [暗い色] (dark color), [薄い色] (pale color).
See breakdown →暗い色
kurai iro
Dark color
💬 [暗い] means dark in the sense of low light or a dark shade, so [暗い色] is a dark-colored thing. The same pattern works elsewhere too, like [暗い部屋] (a dark room).
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
Get PrettyFluent for smart practice & lasting retention
More from "Basic colors"
Similar Japanese Lessons

Numbers
Basic numbers

Paying the grocery bill
Basic numbers

denim types such as handloom selvedge
Shopping for jeans

different fits such as slim fit
Shopping for jeans

Shapes
Basic shapes

Discussing the shape of elements in a chart
Basic shapes
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager