How to say "dye" in Japanese

• 染めるそめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe basic verb for dyeing: to colour fabric, hair, or other material by immersing or treating it. Use this when you dye something a colour, as in dyeing cloth or hair.
  この織物おりものを染そめて欲ほしいのです。↗

  I'd like to have this fabric dyed.
• 染料せんりょうCommon
  nounA noun, not a verb: it means the dye or dyestuff itself, the colouring agent used in dyeing. Choose this when talking about the substance rather than the action.
  考慮こうりょすべきもう一ひとつのことは、カーペットの素材そざい、織おり方かた、染料せんりょうの質しつである。↗

  Another thing to consider is the quality of the materials, knots, and dyes in the carpet.
• 付くつくJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbAn intransitive verb whose core senses are to remain imprinted, to scar, or to stain. Its 'dye' gloss is marginal: it really describes colour that has taken or stuck, not the act of dyeing, so it is seldom the word you want for that sense.
  それらの牛うしには焼き印やきいんがついている。↗

  The cattle are marked with brands.
• さすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUsually written in kana alone. Its main sense is to put on or apply something like lipstick, with colouring and dyeing as secondary senses. For dyeing in the strict sense, another verb is the better choice.

Use 「染める」 for the act of dyeing something, 染料 for the dye substance itself, 「付く」 for colour that has set or stained, and 「さす」 mainly for applying colour such as lipstick.

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

• 染めるそめるto dye
• 染料せんりょうdye
• 染め出すそめだすto dye
• 染め付けるそめつけるto dye (in patterns)
• 染め粉そめこdye
• 染め込むそめこむto dye
• 付くつくto remain imprinted
• さすto put on (lipstick, etc.)
• 差すさすto put on (lipstick, etc.)