HSK · Level 42
120 words
Chinese word
色
Pronunciation
Pinyinsè
Meaning
- nouncolor
Example
你要什么色的？nǐ yào shén me sè de
What color do you want?
More examples
这件衣服是深色的。zhè jiàn yī fú shì shēn sè de
This piece of clothing is dark-colored.
Core concept
The visible quality produced when light reaches an object, from a broad color family to a specific shade or tone.
Common phrases
红色hóng sè
red
深色shēn sè
dark color
浅色qiǎn sè
light color
五颜六色wǔ yán liù sè
colorful
Similar words
颜色yán sè: A type or shade of color shown by an object or light.
Definition in Chinese
指人眼对不同光的感知所产生的差异，即物体呈现出的颜色，也常用以表示某种色调或色合的特点。zhǐ rén yǎn duì bù tóng guāng de gǎn zhī suǒ chǎn shēng de chā yì jí wù tǐ chéng xiàn chū de yán sè yě cháng yòng yǐ biǎo shì móu zhǒng sè diào huò sè hé de tè diǎn
Word origin
色 (sè, "color") originally concerned a person's outward appearance and facial color, then extended to the colors seen on things.
Usage tips
- 什么颜色 (shénme yánsè, "what color") is the clear full question, while 什么色 (shénme sè, "what color") is a shorter form heard in casual conversation.