茜
あ
か
ね
Meanings
1
madder plant; Japanese madder; Rubia argyi
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the plant itself, especially the species Rubia argyi, whose roots yield a red dye.
A red dye can be obtained from the roots of the madder plant.
2
madder red; deep red
The color produced from madder dye; a deep, slightly brownish red. Often used in traditional Japanese color names.
The sunset is dyed in madder red.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉が茜に染まるfor a place (esp. the sky) to be dyed madder red
The evening sky was dyed a deep madder red.
- 茜の根を染料にするto use madder root as a dye
We boiled madder roots to make dye.
Expressions
- 茜さすglowing dark red