Translation guide
The color gray, and related expressions for dullness, ambiguity, or aging.
Describing something that is gray in color.
The most common and neutral word for the color gray.
The sky turned gray.
Loanword from English, often used in fashion, design, or casual contexts.
Literally 'mouse color', a traditional Japanese term for gray. Less common in modern speech.
Referring to hair that has turned gray or white with age.
The standard word for gray or white hair. Note that Japanese uses 'white hair' even when English says 'gray hair'.
Describing weather, mood, or atmosphere that is gray and depressing.
Describing a situation that is not clearly defined, morally or legally ambiguous.
English speakers often mistakenly say 灰色の髪 (はいいろのかみ) for gray hair, but the natural expression is 白髪 (しらが), literally 'white hair'. Using 灰色 for hair sounds unnatural.
灰色 (はいいろ) is the native Japanese word and is used in all contexts. グレー is a loanword often used in fashion, design, or when referring to ambiguous situations (グレーゾーン). Both are common, but 灰色 is more neutral.
He is wearing a gray suit.
I like this gray sweater.
着物は鼠色だった。
The kimono was gray.
I've been getting more gray hair lately.
He has hair streaked with gray.
To become gray-haired.
My father went gray when he was young.
An adverb or する-verb describing a dull, overcast sky or gloomy atmosphere.
The weather is gray and gloomy today.
Literally 'cloudy', often used for gray skies.
The gray skies continue.
Loanword from English 'gray zone', commonly used in legal, ethical, or regulatory contexts.
That action falls into a gray area.
Means 'ambiguous' or 'vague', can be used for gray areas.
The rules are vague and there are many gray areas.