How to say "tan" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 日焼けひやけnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe everyday noun for getting a tan or a sunburn from sun exposure. Use this when talking about skin darkening at the beach or getting burned; it covers both the process and the result.
- nounA less common loanword referring to the colour tan. Choose it when describing the brownish shade itself, as of clothing or leather, rather than any tanning of skin or hide.
- godan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to tan leather or a hide, turning raw skin into leather. This is the word for the tanning craft; it has nothing to do with suntanning. Usually written in kana alone.
- 渋色しぶいろnounA less common word for the colour tan. It is a marginal choice compared with タン for naming this shade, so you will seldom need it when describing something as tan-coloured.
- 灼くやくgodan verb, transitive verbA less common verb meaning to suntan or to burn. For getting a tan, 日焼けする is far more typical, so this is seldom the word you want; it also means to burn.
Use 「日焼け」 for tanning or sunburn from the sun, 「タン」 or 渋色 for the brownish colour, 「なめす」 for tanning leather, and 「灼く」 as a less common verb for suntanning or burning.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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