Translation guide
The Japanese word for pigment is 顔料 (ganryō), but depending on context, other terms like 色素 (shikiso) or 絵の具 (enogu) may be more natural. This guide helps you choose the right word for art, biology, and everyday use.
Referring to colored powder or paste used in painting, printing, or crafts.
The standard term for pigment in art and industrial contexts. Refers to insoluble coloring matter, often mixed with a binder.
This paint is made from natural pigments.
Commonly means 'paint' (watercolor, oil, etc.) as a ready-to-use product. Often used by children and hobbyists. Can refer to the pigment paste inside the tube.
Means 'dye' rather than pigment. Use only when the colorant dissolves in the medium (e.g., fabric dye). Not for insoluble pigments.
Referring to natural coloring substances in living organisms.
The general term for biological pigments like melanin, chlorophyll, etc. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
Referring to coloring agents in makeup products.
Referring to dry pigment powder before mixing with a binder.
Explicitly means 'pigment powder'. Used in art supply stores and technical contexts.
顔料 (ganryō) is an insoluble pigment used in paints and inks. 色素 (shikiso) is a biological pigment or general coloring matter. 染料 (senryō) is a soluble dye. Use 顔料 for art materials, 色素 for skin/hair/plant color, and 染料 for fabric dyeing.
While 色素 can technically refer to any colorant, in everyday Japanese, 絵の具 or 顔料 is much more natural for artist's paints. Using 色素 for paint may sound overly scientific.
絵の具を混ぜて新しい色を作った。
I mixed paints to create a new color.
この染料は水に溶けます。
This dye dissolves in water.
People with light skin pigment burn easily.
Specifically melanin pigment. Common in discussions of skin and hair color.
More melanin pigment makes the skin darker.
Used in cosmetic ingredient lists. Often appears as 顔料 in Japanese cosmetics labeling.
This eyeshadow contains a lot of pigment.
Also used in cosmetics, but more general. Can refer to both natural and synthetic colorants.
The lipstick pigment doesn't come off easily.
Mix pigment powder with oil to make paint.
Literally 'powder paint'. Sometimes used for powdered tempera or poster paint, but less common than 顔料粉末.
Dissolve powder paint in water to use.