Aka

A Red Canvas
Paper Boat Creative
by Namiko Abe
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
Updated June 14, 2017

The common Japanese word aka, pronounced "AH-kah", is the noun for the word "red", or "crimson". The Japanese conception of color is a dynamic one, and red is particularly important.

Japanese Characters

aka (赤)

Example

Ani wa mae kara hoshigatteita akai kuruma o katta.
兄は前から欲しがっていた赤い車を買った。

Translation: My brother bought a red car that he always wanted.