Translation guide
A vivid reddish-orange color. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 朱色 (shuiro), but there are several traditional red pigments with distinct nuances.
To refer to the bright reddish-orange color in everyday contexts.
The standard Japanese word for vermilion. Used in both casual and formal settings.
She was wearing a vermilion dress.
The vermilion torii gate is striking.
A shorter, slightly more technical or traditional term for vermilion. Often used in compound words or artistic contexts.
I use vermilion paint.
Loanword from English. Used mainly in fashion, design, or when referring to the Western color name.
I want a vermilion lipstick.
To refer specifically to the pigment made from cinnabar, used in traditional arts and crafts.
Refers to the mineral cinnabar and the pigment derived from it. Used in historical and artistic contexts.
Cinnabar (vermilion) is used in this Buddhist painting.
An older term for cinnabar or red earth pigment. Often appears in place names and traditional terms.
To describe the iconic vermilion color seen at Shinto shrines and temples.
朱色 (shuiro) is a specific reddish-orange, while 赤 (aka) is generic red. 紅色 (beniiro) is a deeper crimson. Use 朱色 when you want to emphasize the orange undertone.
Vermilion is considered a sacred color in Shinto, symbolizing protection and vitality. It is widely used in torii gates and shrine architecture.
A shrine building coated with vermilion.
The vermilion-lacquered shrine building is beautiful.