Translation guide
A substance used to add or change color, such as in food, cosmetics, paint, or textiles.
A substance used to impart color to something, especially in industrial or artistic contexts.
The most common and general term for any coloring agent, especially in food, cosmetics, and manufactured products.
このお菓子には合成着色料が使われています。
This candy contains synthetic colourants.
Refers to pigments or dyes, often used in scientific, cosmetic, or food contexts. Can mean natural or synthetic coloring matter.
天然色素を使った化粧品が人気です。
Cosmetics using natural colourants are popular.
Specifically a dye, used for textiles, leather, or hair. Not typically used for food.
この布は植物染料で染められています。
This cloth is dyed with plant-based colourants.
A substance added to food or drink to give it color.
Explicitly means food colourant. Used on ingredient labels and in formal contexts.
食品着色料として紅麹が使われることがあります。
Red yeast rice is sometimes used as a food colourant.
Commonly used for food coloring, especially in everyday conversation and product descriptions.
食用色素で色をつけたかき氷のシロップ。
Shaved ice syrup colored with food colourants.
A dry coloring substance, usually powder, used in paints, inks, plastics, etc.
Pigment, insoluble coloring matter used in paints, printing inks, and plastics.
この絵の具は高品質の顔料を使っています。
This paint uses high-quality pigments (colourants).
Refers to paints or coloring materials for art, but can imply the colourant within them. Not a direct translation, but useful in context.
着色料 is the broadest term for any coloring additive, especially in food and products. 色素 refers to the coloring matter itself, often natural or chemical, and is common in science and cosmetics. 顔料 is specifically pigment, an insoluble powder used in paints and plastics.
このジュースには着色料が入っていません。
This juice contains no colourants.
肌に優しい天然色素を使用。
Uses natural colourants gentle on the skin.
顔料を油と混ぜて絵の具を作る。
Mix pigment with oil to make paint.
I chose safe colourants (paints) for children.