How to say "colors" in Japanese

• 絵の具えのぐJLPT N2approx.Common
  expression, nounCovers 'colors' as paints or coloring materials — the pigments you paint with. If you mean the paints used for a picture, this is the everyday word you want.
  赤あかい絵の具えのぐに青あおい絵の具えのぐを混まぜなさい。↗

  Blend the red paint with the blue paint.
• 軍旗ぐんき
  nounCovers only the military sense of 'colors': the flag of a regiment or other unit. It literally means battle flag or standard, so it is wrong for paints or color in general.
• 丹青たんせい
  nounAlso means paints or colors, but it is a less common word and seldom the one learners need; choose 絵の具 unless you have a particular reason.

Use 「絵の具」 for colors as paints or coloring materials; 軍旗 only for the military 'colours,' a unit's battle flag; 丹青 is a less common word for paints that learners seldom need.

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

• 絵の具えのぐpaint
• 軍旗ぐんきbattle flag
• 丹青たんせいpaints