Translation guide
The color or the flowering plant. For the plant, use ライラック. For the color, ライラック or 薄紫 (light purple).
Referring to the lilac shrub or its flowers.
The most common and direct word for the lilac plant in Japanese. It is a loanword from English.
庭にライラックが咲いています。
Lilacs are blooming in the garden.
An alternative loanword, from French 'lilas'. Less common than ライラック but understood.
リラの香りが好きです。
I like the scent of lilacs.
The Japanese name for Syringa reticulata (Japanese tree lilac), but sometimes used for common lilac. Very rare and technical.
ムラサキハシドイは日本原産です。
The Japanese tree lilac is native to Japan.
Describing the light purple color typical of lilac flowers.
Used as a color name, just like in English. Common in fashion and design.
ライラック色のワンピースを買った。
I bought a lilac-colored dress.
Literally 'wisteria color', a light purple with a slightly bluer tone. Not exactly lilac but sometimes used for similar pale purples.
When you say ライラック, context usually makes it clear whether you mean the plant or the color. If needed, add 色 (いろ) for the color or の花 (のはな) for the flowers.
Means 'light purple'. A more traditional Japanese color term, not specifically lilac but often used for similar shades.
壁を薄紫に塗った。
I painted the wall light purple.
That wisteria-colored kimono is lovely.