also: こ
Prefix used with color terms to indicate a dark shade. The reading こ appears in a few set compounds like 濃グレー, but のう is more common.
See also: 濃グレー (のうグレー)
He attended the meeting wearing a dark gray suit.
This paint is a dark blue.
Only with reading のう
Prefix indicating high concentration or thickness, used in technical or descriptive compounds. Restricted to the reading のう.
Concentrated sulfuric acid requires careful handling.
This soup has a thick, rich flavor.
concentration; density · cardinality
concentration; enrichment; condensation
dense; thick; rich; deep; strong; heavy; detailed; close; intimate
light and shade; shade; gradation · depth of flavor; complexity; strength and weakness
dark blue; deep navy blue
dense fog; heavy fog; thick fog
thicken; concentrate
deep pink
thick smoke
deep color; dark color
charming; bewitching; enchanting
rich and strong; full-bodied with a strong finish
concentration (of minerals)
fortis consonant; tense consonant
highly concentrated; extra rich; thick
thickened oil
Standard kanji spelling for this prefix. The reading のう is the most common.
Rare reading used in a few compounds like 濃グレー (dark gray).
From the kanji 濃, which carries meanings of 'thick', 'dense', and 'dark'. The reading のう is the on'yomi, while こ is a rare alternative on'yomi used in a few compounds.