Translation guide
Describes a pale, grayish, or unhealthy complexion, often from shock, illness, or fear. Japanese uses color terms like 青白い (pale/bluish-white) or 土色 (earth-colored), and expressions for losing color from the face.
To describe a face that has lost its normal color, turning pale or grayish due to strong emotion or sickness.
Literally 'blue-white', this is the most common word for a pale, wan complexion, often from fear, shock, or illness. It can also describe pale light or color.
He turned pale with fear.
Her pale face worries me.
A phrase meaning 'the blood drains from one's face', describing the sudden loss of color due to shock or fear. Often used as a verb phrase.
When I heard the news, the blood drained from my face.
A general phrase meaning 'complexion is bad/poor', often implying paleness or an unhealthy look. Can be used for illness or fatigue.
You look pale, are you okay?
Literally 'earth-colored', meaning an ashen, grayish complexion. More literary or dramatic, often used in written descriptions.
His face was ashen.
To describe something that is the color of ash, like gray or pale gray.
青白い specifically means pale or bluish-white, often from a sudden shock or fear. 顔色が悪い is a broader term for looking unwell, which can include paleness but also other signs of illness. Use 青白い when the paleness is the main feature, and 顔色が悪い for general poor complexion.
He stood there with a pale face.
You look pale today. Didn't sleep well?
Avoid directly translating 'ashen' as 灰の (hai no) for complexion. It sounds unnatural. Use 青白い or 血の気が引く instead.
Ashen clouds spread across the sky.