How to say "amber" in Japanese

• 黄色きいろJLPT N5approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers the color sense: it is the ordinary word for yellow, and amber as a shade falls under it. Use it when describing something simply as yellowish or amber-colored, not for the substance or gemstone.
  床ゆかは緑色みどりいろに塗ぬられていたが、一方いっぽう壁かべは黄色きいろだった。↗

  The floor was painted green, while the walls were yellow.
• 琥珀こはくCommon
  no-adjectiveThe word for amber as a substance or gemstone — the fossilized resin used in jewelry. When 'amber' refers to the material itself rather than a color, this is the word you want.
  時ときを超こえて古代こだいの昆虫こんちゅうたちが琥珀こはくの中なかで生き生いきいきと踊おどる。↗

  Transcending time, the insects of ages gone past dance livelily in amber.
• 山吹やまぶきCommon
  no-adjectiveA vivid, bright golden yellow, originally the color of the kerria rose flower. Use it for a striking amber-gold hue, especially in descriptions of color or nature; it does not refer to the resin.

For the fossil resin or gemstone, use 琥珀; for the color, 黄色 works as plain 'yellow(ish)' and 山吹 for a bright golden yellow, so the resin meaning and the color shade you intend determine the choice.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 黄色きいろyellow
• 琥珀こはくamber
• アンバーamber
• 赤玉あかだまred ball
• 飴色あめいろamber
• 山吹色やまぶきいろamber
• 琥珀色こはくいろamber (colour, color)
• 鼈甲色べっこういろamber (colour, color)
• 飴あめamber
• 山吹やまぶきamber