Translation guide
The color green, as well as related concepts like environmentalism, inexperience, and traffic signals. Japanese has multiple words for green, with 緑 (midori) being the most common. Note that some things called 'green' in English are described with 青 (ao, blue) in Japanese, such as green traffic lights and green apples.
Describing something as green in color.
The standard word for the color green. Used for most green objects.
この緑のシャツが好きです。
I like this green shirt.
山が緑で覆われている。
The mountains are covered in green.
Loanword from English, often used in compound words or trendy contexts, like fashion or branding.
Historically, 青 covered both blue and green. Still used for certain green things like traffic lights, green apples, and green vegetables.
Using 青 for general green objects will sound like 'blue'. Only use in fixed expressions.
Referring to environmentalism, sustainability, or eco-friendly products.
Means 'environmentally friendly'. The most natural way to express 'green' in an environmental context.
環境に優しい製品を選びましょう。
Let's choose green products.
Describing someone who is new or inexperienced.
Means 'immature' or 'inexperienced'. Can be used for people who are 'green' in a role.
Referring to the green light on a traffic signal.
Referring to green vegetables or leafy greens.
General term for green leafy vegetables.
Referring to green tea.
The standard word for green tea.
In Japanese, a green traffic light is called 青信号 (あおしんごう), literally 'blue signal'. Do not use 緑信号. This is a fixed expression.
信号が青になった。
The light turned green.
緑 (midori) is the standard word for green. 青 (ao) is used for green only in certain traditional or fixed expressions (e.g., 青りんご green apple, 青々とした fresh green). Using 青 for a green car would be understood as blue.
緑の車
a green car
グリーンのカーテンが爽やかだね。
The green curtains are refreshing, aren't they?
green apple
Short for 'ecological', commonly used in compounds like エコバッグ (eco-bag).
エコバッグを持って買い物に行く。
I go shopping with a green bag.
Sometimes used in environmental contexts, like グリーンエネルギー (green energy), but less common than 環境に優しい or エコ.
グリーンエネルギーへの転換が必要だ。
A shift to green energy is necessary.
彼はまだ未熟な新人だ。
He's still a green newcomer.
Literally 'blue', but idiomatically means 'inexperienced' or 'green'. Common in phrases like 青二才 (greenhorn).
考えがまだ青いね。
Your thinking is still green.
Literally 'new rice', used for a novice or newcomer, similar to 'greenhorn'.
新米ドライバーだから、運転がぎこちない。
He's a green driver, so his driving is awkward.
The standard term for a green traffic light. Note that it uses 青 (blue) instead of 緑.
青信号になったら渡りましょう。
Let's cross when the light turns green.
Phrase meaning 'the light turns green'.
信号が青になるのを待っている。
I'm waiting for the light to turn green.
青菜をたくさん食べなさい。
Eat plenty of greens.
Refers to green and yellow vegetables, often used in nutritional contexts.
緑黄色野菜にはビタミンが豊富だ。
Green vegetables are rich in vitamins.
I drink green tea every morning.
General word for tea, which in Japan usually implies green tea. Use this in casual contexts.
お茶でも飲まない？
How about some green tea?
青りんご
a green apple
We should buy more green products.