Translation guide
Describes hair that is light yellow or golden in color. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to say 'blond hair' is 金髪 (きんぱつ). However, there are other expressions depending on context, such as natural vs. dyed hair, or describing a person as blond.
金髪
blond hair
The most common, neutral way to refer to blond hair, regardless of whether it's natural or dyed.
The standard word for blond hair. Can refer to both natural and dyed blond hair. Often used as a noun.
彼女は金髪だ。
She has blond hair.
金髪の女性が歩いている。
A woman with blond hair is walking.
Loanword from English 'blond(e)'. Often used to describe natural blond hair, especially of Westerners. Can also refer to the color itself.
彼はブロンドの髪をしている。
He has blond hair.
ブロンドヘアのモデルが雑誌の表紙を飾った。
A model with blond hair graced the magazine cover.
Literally 'gold-colored hair'. A more descriptive and slightly poetic way to say blond hair. Can be used for both natural and dyed hair.
金色の髪が太陽に輝いている。
Her golden hair is shining in the sun.
Specifically refers to hair that has been bleached or dyed blond, often in a fashion context.
Means 'to dye one's hair blond'. The verb 染める (そめる) means 'to dye'.
彼は髪を金髪に染めた。
He dyed his hair blond.
Refers to bleached hair, which is often a step to achieve blond hair. Implies a more artificial look.
ブリーチした髪が痛んでいる。
Her bleached hair is damaged.
How to say someone is blond or has blond hair, often as a characteristic.
Attach 金髪の to a noun to mean 'blond [person]'. For example, 金髪の女性 (blond woman).
金髪の少年が公園で遊んでいる。
A blond boy is playing in the park.
A simple sentence pattern: '[Person] is blond.' Note that 金髪 is a noun, so it's like saying '[Person] is blond hair.'
彼は金髪だ。
He is blond.
金髪 is the most common and neutral word for blond hair in Japanese. ブロンド is a loanword that often carries a nuance of natural, Western blond hair. In everyday conversation, 金髪 is perfectly fine for any blond hair, but ブロンド might be used in fashion or beauty contexts to sound more stylish.
While 黄色い (きいろい) means 'yellow', saying 黄色い髪 for blond hair sounds unnatural and can be perceived as odd or even insulting, as it literally means 'yellow hair'. Stick to 金髪 or ブロンド.