染め・染|そめsome[0]heiban (flat)

Common

Which spelling to use

染め染め is the more common written form, combining kanji and kana. It is the form learners will most often encounter and should generally choose.

染染 is a less common kanji-only variant of 染め. Learners may recognize it as an alternative written form, but should normally use 染め instead.

Definitions

Synonyms & antonyms

Related変色へんしょくNeutralRefers to color changing — usually fading or deterioration, from natural or artificial causes; 「染め」 is deliberately adding color to cloth or thread.
Related色変わりいろがわりNeutralColor change, also used for the same product offered in different colors; it focuses on the result of the color changing.
Antonym脱色だっしょくNeutralAn antonym: removing color or bleaching, the opposite of 「染め」, which adds color.
Antonym抜染ぬきぞめNeutralDischarge printing: chemicals strip part of the dye to create patterns — itself a dyeing technique, but working in the opposite direction from adding color.

Use 「染め」 for ways of coloring or dyeing cloth and thread, as in 「藍染め」 and 「草木染め」. For a change in color say 「変色」, and for removing color say 「脱色」.

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

Japanese definitions

Kanji in this word

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