How to say "hue" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

色いろJLPT N5approx.Common
nounThe ordinary word for colour, so its 'hue' is colour in the plainest sense. When English 'hue' points to a particular shade or tint, 色合い is usually the better choice.
その色いろは彼女かのじょの髪の毛かみのけとよく合あった。↗
The color went beautifully with her hair.
色彩しきさいJLPT N1approx.Common
nounColour viewed as a quality in itself; natural when colour is under discussion, as in art or design. For the hue of one particular thing, 色合い is the closer fit.
雄おすのくじゃくは尾おの羽毛うもうが色彩しきさい豊ゆたかである。↗
The male peacock has colorful tail feathers.
色合いいろあいCommon
nounThe closest of the three to 'hue' as a specific shade or tone: the colouring something actually has. Choose it when you mean the tone of a colour rather than colour in general.
その建物たてものは実じつに美うつくしい色合いろあいの大理石だいりせきでできている。↗
The building is built of marble of a most lovely color.

Use 色 for colour in general, 色彩 when colour itself is the subject, as in art or design, and 「色合い」 when 'hue' means a specific shade or tone of something.

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

Japanese equivalents

色いろcolour
色彩しきさいcolour
色合いいろあいcolouring
色相しきそうhue
色味いろみshade
色目いろめshade (of color)

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