紺
dark blue, navy
Readings
On'yomi
- コン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
紺 centers on a deep, dark shade of blue, specifically navy or dark blue, often associated with fabric or dyeing.
Most common words using 紺
- 紺こんN2
navy blue; deep blue
- 紺色こんいろ
deep blue; navy blue
- 濃紺のうこん
dark blue
- 紺碧こんぺき
deep blue; azure
- 紺屋こうや
dyer
- 紫紺しこん
dark purple; bluish purple
- 紫紺野牡丹しこんのぼたん
princess-flower (Tibouchina urvilleana)
- 紺ソこんソ
navy-blue socks
- 紺ソクこんソク
navy-blue socks
- 紺ハイソこんハイソ
navy-blue knee socks
- 紺四郎こんしろう
consul
- 紺地こんじ
dark blue ground
- 紺屋の白袴こうやのしろばかま
the shoemaker's children go barefoot; specialists often fail to apply their skills to themselves; the dyer's white hakama
- 紺珠かんじゅ
dark blue gem allowing one to recall memories when stroked with one's hand (allegedly possessed by Zhang Yue)
- 紺絣こんがすり
dark blue cloth with white splash patterns
- 紺綬褒章こんじゅほうしょう
Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon
- 紺青こんじょう
Prussian blue; deep blue; dark blue; ultramarine
- 紺青色こんじょういろ
Prussian blue; deep blue; dark blue; ultramarine
- 紺青鬼こんじょうき
navy blue demon residing in hell
- 茄子紺なすこん
dusky purple; dark purple; eggplant color
Study
Etymology
紺 combines 糸 (thread) with 甘, which likely contributes the sound コン. The character originally referred to a dark blue dye or fabric.
Meaning mnemonic
Thread 糸 dyed a sweet 甘 deep blue: imagine a spool of thread soaked in rich navy dye, the color so deep it looks almost sweet.
Reading mnemonic
For コン, picture a con artist selling fake navy blue silk: con -> コン, and the thread 糸 is dyed a deceptive dark blue.