Translation guide
Describes something that has color, often in contrast to being colorless or white. In Japanese, the expression depends on whether you mean 'having a specific color', 'non-white', or 'colored by dye/paint'.
The object is made with a color, often for artistic or decorative purposes.
Literally 'with color attached'. Used for items that come in colors, like colored paper, colored pencils, etc.
色付きの画用紙を買った。
I bought colored drawing paper.
色付きのペンで書いてください。
Please write with a colored pen.
Loanword from English 'color'. Often used in compound nouns like カラー写真 (color photo) or カラーペン (colored pen).
カラーコピーを取ってください。
Please make a color copy.
The object is not clear or white; it has some color, often translucent or tinted.
Relative clause meaning 'to which color has been attached'. Used for liquids, glass, etc.
色のついたガラスの花瓶です。
It's a colored glass vase.
色のついた液体を混ぜる。
Mix the colored liquid.
Technical term meaning 'colored' or 'pigmented', often used in scientific contexts like 有色鉱物 (colored mineral).
Something has been intentionally given color through a process like dyeing.
Past tense of 染める (to dye). Used for hair, cloth, etc.
染めた髪がきれいですね。
Your colored (dyed) hair is pretty.
染めた布で服を作った。
I made clothes with colored (dyed) fabric.
Means 'colored' or 'painted' in a more formal or technical sense, often for manufactured items.
着色したプラスチック製品。
Colored plastic products.
Referring to people of non-white racial background. Note: This term is outdated and potentially offensive in English; Japanese equivalents may also carry historical or discriminatory nuances.
Literally 'colored race'. This is a dated and potentially offensive term. Use with extreme caution, if at all.
This term is considered discriminatory in modern usage. Avoid unless discussing historical contexts.
有色人種という言葉は現在では差別的とされる。
The term 'colored people' is now considered discriminatory.
The English term 'colored' when referring to people is outdated and offensive. The Japanese equivalent 有色人種 is similarly problematic. Use specific ethnic or racial descriptors instead, or rephrase entirely.
アフリカ系アメリカ人
African American (more appropriate than 'colored')
有色ガラスは紫外線を遮る。
Colored glass blocks ultraviolet rays.