色: the kanji for color
色 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means color. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
色 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
色 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 12 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ショク (shoku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 特色とくしょく · tokushoku | characteristic |
| 原色げんしょく · genshoku | primary color |
| 着色ちゃくしょく · chakushoku | coloring |
シキ (shiki)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 色彩しきさい · shikisai | color; coloring |
| 色紙しきし · shikishi | square card for autographs |
いろ (iro)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 色いろ · iro | color |
| 色々いろいろ · iroiro | various |
| 茶色ちゃいろ · chairo | brown |
| 黄色きいろ · kiiro | yellow |
| 水色みずいろ · mizuiro | light blue |
| 顔色かおいろ · kaoiro | complexion |
| 銀色ぎんいろ · gin'iro | silver |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 色, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 景色けしき · keshiki | scenery; view |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 色々ありがとうございました。Iroiro arigatō gozaimashita.Thank you for everything.
- ほかの色はありますか。Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka.Do you have other colors?
- 山の上からの景色はすばらしかったです。Yama no ue kara no keshiki wa subarashikatta desu.The view from the top of the mountain was wonderful.
- 顔色が悪いですね。大丈夫ですか。Kaoiro ga warui desu ne. Daijōbu desu ka.You look pale. Are you all right?
- この町の特色は古い町並みです。Kono machi no tokushoku wa furui machinami desu.This town's distinctive feature is its old streets.
- 送別会で色紙にメッセージを書きました。Sōbetsukai de shikishi ni messēji o kakimashita.I wrote a message on a card at the farewell party.
Questions about 色
How many strokes does 色 have?
色 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 色?
The on readings are shoku (ショク), shiki (シキ). The kun readings are iro (いろ).
What is a 色紙 at a Japanese farewell party?
A 色紙 (shikishi) is a stiff square card. Coworkers write short messages around the edge and give it to someone who is leaving or transferring.
What JLPT level is 色?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Colors and descriptions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 色
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.