a recording liquid comprising a coloring agent and water , wherein the recording liquid containing a polyol having a solubility in water at 20 ° c . of 0 . 2 wt . % or more and not more than 4 . 5 wt . %, and at least one compound selected from a group consisting of compound represented by formula r 1 , r 2 , r 3 . n → o , and of compound represented by formula represented by r 4 , r 5 , r 6 . n — ch 2 — co — o − . the recording liquid shows synergistic effect including a high permeability with modified penetrating property capable of eliminating an increasing in optical density at backside - surface of printing medium , anti - color bleeding property , and an effect on reduction of blurring of colors , by combination use of the polyol and compound . the polyol has a small molecular weight so that the adsorbing speed onto the surface to be printed is very high , and has a property to render the nitrogen moiety of the compound into positive charge . the compound effectuates on compound to make it to be insoluble .