青・蒼・碧|あおao[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. no-adjectiveblue; azure
2. no-adjectivegreenmostly in compound words and in ref. to fruits, plants and traffic lights
   信号しんごうが青あおに変かわったわよ。↗

   The traffic light turned green.
3. noungreen light (traffic)
4. nounblack (horse coat color)
5. noun, hanafudablue 5-point card
6. prefiximmature; unripe; young

• SynonymブルーNeutralKatakana loanword for the colour blue; unlike 「青」 it also describes a gloomy mood, as in 「ブルーな気分」.
• Synonym青色あおいろNeutralThe objective name for the colour blue, as in 「青色の服」; it is plain 「青」 that is known for also covering some greens.
• Related青みあおみNeutralA tinge of blue or green rather than the colour itself, as in 「青みがかった灰色」; also greenery added to a dish as garnish.
• Antonym赤あかNeutralThe opposite colour: red, as in the red and green lights of a traffic signal.

Use 「青」 for blue and in set uses like the green traffic light; 「青色」 names the colour objectively, 「青み」 a tinge of blue, 「ブルー」 is the loanword and can mean gloomy. Most greens are 「緑」.

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

1. （あお）色いろの一ひとつ、ブルー。よく澄すんだ空そらや水みずの色いろに代表だいひょうされる。可視光線かしこうせんにおいて470nm周辺しゅうへんのもの。五色ごしきの一ひとつ。
2. （複合語ふくごうごで）（あお）色いろの一ひとつ、グリーン。草木くさきの葉はのような色いろ。