“Red” in Japanese is 赤い (あかい), pronounced akai.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Red as an adjective. The noun is 赤 (aka). Red and white together (紅白) mean celebration.
Example sentences
- 赤い車がほしいです。あかいくるまがほしいです。I want a red car.
- りんごは赤いです。りんごはあかいです。Apples are red.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 赤い. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 赤い あかい | red |
| Polite present | 赤いです あかいです | is red |
| Negative | 赤くないです あかくないです | isn’t red |
| Past | 赤かったです あかかったです | was red |
| Past negative | 赤くなかったです あかくなかったです | wasn’t red |
| て-form | 赤くて あかくて | red and… |
| Adverb (く) | 赤く あかく | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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Which word means “lively”?
Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say red in Japanese?
Red in Japanese is 赤い (あかい), pronounced “akai”.
How do you write red in Japanese?
It's written 赤い with kanji, or あかい in hiragana. Both are read akai.
Is 赤い on the JLPT?
Yes. 赤い (akai) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.