彩いろどる

い

ろ

ど

る

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

彩る · godan verb (-ru)

Meanings

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

color; paint; add color to

Broadly used for applying color to a surface, picture, or object; can be literal coloring or figurative coloring of a scene.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

apply makeup; put on cosmetics

Specifically for applying makeup to the face; often used in literary or descriptive contexts.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

decorate; adorn; add flair to

Used for decorating or embellishing something to make it more attractive or lively; can be physical decoration or adding variety/interest.

〈物もの〉を彩いろどるto add color to something (a picture, object, or scene)
紅こう葉ようが山やま全ぜん体たいを彩いろどる。
The autumn leaves color the whole mountain.
顔かおを彩いろどるto put on makeup, coloring the face
彼かの女じょは舞ぶ台たいに出でる前まえに顔かおを彩いろどった。
She put on makeup before going on stage.
〈場ば所しょ〉を彩いろどるfor something to decorate or brighten up a place
花か壇だんの花はなが公こう園えんを彩いろどっている。
The flowers in the flowerbed brighten up the park.
〈事こと〉を彩いろどるto add flair or richness to an experience or period of life
音おん楽がくが彼かれの青せい春しゅん時じ代だいを彩いろどった。
Music added color to his youth.

飾かざるN4sense 3
飾る focuses on physical decoration or display, while 彩る emphasizes adding color or visual/artistic interest.
化け粧しょうN3sense 2
化粧する is the plain, everyday word for putting on makeup, while 彩る is a more literary or descriptive way to say the same thing.
染そめるN2sense 1
染める means to dye or permanently change a color, while 彩る is about adding surface color or visual accent without necessarily changing the base material.

彩いろどり
coloring; coloration · color scheme; color coordination · touch of color; embellishment; vibrancy

Historically related to 色取る, formed from 色 “color” and 取る; the spelling 彩る represents the resulting meaning “to color or decorate.”