Translation guide
Describes a pale, weak, or lifeless appearance, often due to illness, fear, or lack of vitality.
Describing a person's face or skin that is unusually pale, often due to sickness, shock, or fright.
Describing something that is weak, uninteresting, or lacking energy, such as a performance, writing, or light.
Means 'lacking vitality/life'. Used for expressions, performances, or atmospheres that feel pallid or lifeless.
彼の演奏は生気がなくて退屈だった。
His performance was pallid and boring.
Describing a color that is pale, faint, or lacking intensity, such as a pallid blue or pallid light.
While 'pallid' often translates to 'pale', directly using ペール (pēru) or ペイル (peiru) is unnatural in most contexts. Use the Japanese adjectives above instead.
青白い (あおじろい) is the standard word for a pallid complexion. 蒼白い (そうはくい) is more literary and dramatic, often found in novels or poetry.
The most common and natural way to describe a pallid complexion, literally 'pale blue-white'. Used for faces, skin, or light.
彼は病気で顔が青白かった。
His face was pallid from illness.
彼女は恐怖で青白くなった。
She turned pallid with fear.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'lacking blood/color', emphasizing a lifeless pallor. Often used for faces.
彼の顔は血の気がなく、青白かった。
His face was pallid, without any color.
A more literary or formal term for pallid, often used in written descriptions. Less common in everyday speech.
彼女の蒼白い顔が月明かりに浮かび上がった。
Her pallid face emerged in the moonlight.
A slightly formal phrase meaning 'lacking brilliance/luster'. Often used for artistic works or presentations.
その小説は精彩を欠いた文章で書かれていた。
The novel was written in a pallid style.
Casual term meaning 'dull, lackluster, not sharp'. Can describe a person's appearance, weather, or performance.
今日は顔色が冴えないね。大丈夫？
You look pallid today. Are you okay?
Literally 'thin/flimsy', used figuratively for shallow, pallid content or arguments. Colloquial.
彼の説明は薄っぺらくて説得力がなかった。
His explanation was pallid and unconvincing.
Means 'pale, light, faint' for colors or light. Very common and natural.
空は淡い青色だった。
The sky was a pallid blue.
General word for 'thin, pale, weak'. Can describe colors, light, or liquids. Less specific than 淡い.
壁は薄いピンクに塗られていた。
The wall was painted a pallid pink.
Means 'faint, dim, barely perceptible'. Used for light, sound, or hope. Emphasizes weakness.
かすかな月明かりだけが部屋を照らしていた。
Only a pallid moonlight illuminated the room.