Translation guide
Describes something that is somewhat yellow in color, but not fully yellow. Japanese uses specific adjectives, suffixes, or descriptive phrases.
To describe something that is slightly yellow or has a yellow tint.
The most common and versatile way to say 'yellowish'. Attach っぽい to the noun 黄色 (yellow) to mean '-ish'.
この花は黄色っぽい。
This flower is yellowish.
壁が黄色っぽく見える。
The wall looks yellowish.
Literally 'tinged with yellow'. Slightly more formal or descriptive than 黄色っぽい. Often used in written descriptions.
黄みがかった葉っぱ
yellowish leaves
Means 'yellow', but in some contexts can imply 'yellowish' when the object is not fully yellow. Use with caution as it primarily means yellow.
Usually means 'yellow', not 'yellowish'. Only implies 'yellowish' when the object is inherently not fully yellow.
黄色い光
yellowish light (or yellow light, depending on context)
To describe a person's skin that has a yellowish tint, often due to health or ethnicity.
Used for a yellowish complexion, often indicating poor health.
彼は顔色が黄色っぽくて、疲れているようだ。
His complexion is yellowish, and he looks tired.
Often used for teeth or skin that has yellowed, sometimes with a negative connotation of staining or aging.
黄ばんだ歯
yellowish teeth
To describe items like paper, fabric, or liquids that have a slight yellow color.
Verb meaning 'to turn yellow' or 'to become yellowish', often due to age or staining.
古い本のページが黄ばんでいる。
The pages of the old book are yellowish.
Similar to 黄みがかった, but uses 黄色 (yellow) instead of 黄 (yellow). Slightly more common in everyday speech.
黄色がかった液体
yellowish liquid
っぽい is a colloquial suffix meaning '-ish' and can attach to many nouns. がかった comes from the verb がかる (to be tinged with) and is slightly more formal or literary. Both are common for colors.