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iro

Iro, written in kanji as 色, is a basic noun in Japanese that means color or hue. It denotes the visual attribute of objects that can be perceived as different wavelengths of light and is used across everyday language, art, design, and fashion to describe appearance. The word is read iro in kun’yomi, making it the core term for discussing colors in general, while specific colors are usually named with separate color words such as red, blue, or green.

In addition to its literal sense, iro appears in common expressions. For example, iroiro (色々) is used

Culturally, color carries symbolism and associations in Japan, influencing fashion, art, and traditional practices as well

Overall, iro functions as the foundational concept for color in Japanese, supporting both everyday description and

to
mean
various
or
a
variety
of
things,
and
iroiro
na
describes
a
range
of
options
or
items.
The
term
also
serves
as
a
component
in
many
color-related
phrases
and
compounds,
reflecting
its
central
role
in
describing
aesthetics
and
design.
as
contemporary
branding
and
media.
Colors
are
discussed
not
only
in
terms
of
hue
but
also
in
terms
of
related
concepts
such
as
color
harmony,
brightness,
and
saturation
in
more
technical
contexts.
more
nuanced
discussions
of
color
in
culture,
art,
and
design.