Language/Vietnamese/Vocabulary/Colors

Bảng màu sắc - Colors in Vietnamese

In today's lesson we will learn the main colors in Vietnamese.

Mastering Vietnamese color vocabulary not only enables you to describe the world around you with more precision in the Vietnamese language, but it also adds depth and richness to your narratives.

Furthermore, colors hold cultural significance that can vary across different countries and communities.

Thus, familiarizing yourself with the cultural connotations of colors in Vietnamese society is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings and potential cultural faux pas.

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Seasons, Nature and Environment, Months of the year & Modes of Transportation.

How to write and pronounce the main colors in Vietnamese:

	Tiếng Việt	English
	màu nâu	brown
	màu đen	black
	màu xám	grey, gray
	màu trắng	white
	màu vàng	yellow
	màu hồng	pink
	màu (da) cam	orange
	màu đỏ	red
	màu tím	purple
	màu xanh da trời	sky blue
	màu xanh lam	blue
	màu xanh lá cây	green
	màu vàng cam	amber
	màu xanh dương nhạt	light blue
	màu xanh lá cây nhạt	light green
	màu hồng nhạt	light pink
	màu nâu sẫm	dark brown
	màu hồng tím	magenta
	màu đỏ đậm	maroon
	màu xanh lá cây đậm	dark green
	màu xanh dương đậm	navy blue
	màu tím đậm	dark purple
	màu xanh ngọc	cyan, aqua
	màu cam đậm	dark orange
	màu xanh lá cây và vàng	olive
	màu da	peach
	màu vàng chanh	lime

The symbolic meaning of colors in Vietnamese culture

Source: https://vietnamoriginal.com/notre-blog/la-signification-symbolique-des-couleurs-dans-la-culture-vietnamienne-579.html

Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese apply the rules of 5 natural elements with details on the choice of colors. However, some ideas might surprise you because there is a big difference between Eastern and Western philosophy.

Especially under the old regime, each social class in Vietnam can only use one unique color or a few specific colors.

• Golden yellow symbolizes power and royalty, which is why, it is the color of the king. In the past, mandarins and all citizens were prohibited from wearing yellow clothes or painting house walls yellow.

• Over time, yellow is considered to be the color of gold, a precious metal. Nobles, wealthy families like to paint all their houses yellow. This explains why the city of Hoi An is particularly yellowed as we see nowadays. In the past, Hoi An was famous for the extremely vibrant business activities at the port and the heart of Hoi An Old Quarter and check out our Hoi An excursion deals to discover all its charming corners.

• Purple is a specific color for mandarins.

• Cashew red is a sacred color dedicated to ceremonies and important religious holidays, or birthday parties or to celebrate longevity for old people.

• Brownish symbolizes Zen and the return to Buddhism, as the simple color symbol of the Franciscans.

• The blue is dedicated to educated youth, who have not yet won in the annual Royal Court competitions.

• The pink, rather pinkish like the petals of a peach blossom is a sign of identification of the singers, which is why the song is called "a dao", ả - in the ancient and local language means a young girl, miss and dao - peach blossom or pink color. This type of vocal art has another special name: it was very popular in the North during the feudal period.

• According to Vietnamese tradition, joy is symbolized by red, yellow, pink while black, white and purple are colors dedicated to sad occasions such as mourning. The newlyweds will wear red, the house or at least the doors are covered with red - the color of festivity and the red of blood, the red of the heart corresponds to love and marriage. Red also signifies heat, energy, joy and happiness. Everything that means joy is expressed in red according to the Orientals.

Practice

Sentences

• Tôi có một cái bút màu đỏ.

I have a red pen.

• Quả táo này có màu gì vậy? Nó có màu xanh lá cây.

What color is this apple? It is green.

• Chiếc áo của tôi màu xanh dương.

My shirt is blue.

• Chiếc xe đạp của cậu ấy màu vàng.

His bicycle is yellow.

• Bầu trời hôm nay màu xám.

The sky today is gray.

• Chiếc túi của cô ấy màu tím.

Her bag is purple.

• Mắt của chú mèo đó màu nâu.

The cat's eyes are brown.

• Cái ghế này màu cam.

This chair is orange.

• Bông hoa kia màu hồng.

That flower is pink.

• Cái nón của anh ấy màu xanh lá cây.

His hat is green.

• Bức tranh trên tường màu đen.

The painting on the wall is black.

• Mái tóc của cô ấy màu trắng.

Her hair is white.

Quiz

Question 1: How do you say "blue" in Vietnamese?

Answer: màu xanh dương

Question 2: Translate the following phrase to Vietnamese: "Her eyes are green."

Answer: Mắt của cô ấy màu xanh lá cây.

Question 3: What color is "màu đỏ" in English?

Answer: Red

Question 4: Translate this Vietnamese phrase to English: "Chiếc xe của tôi màu vàng."

Answer: My car is yellow.

Question 5: How do you say "purple" in Vietnamese?

Answer: màu tím

Question 6: Translate the following phrase to Vietnamese: "The sky is gray."

Answer: Bầu trời màu xám.

Question 7: What color is "màu hồng" in English?

Answer: Pink

Question 8: Translate this Vietnamese phrase to English: "Quả táo này màu đỏ."

Answer: This apple is red.

Question 9: How do you say "orange" in Vietnamese?

Answer: màu (da) cam

Question 10: Translate the following phrase to Vietnamese: "The flowers are white."

Answer: Bông hoa màu trắng

Note

• Adjectives colors are always behind the subject.

Other Lessons

• Geometry
• Weather and Climate
• Shapes
• Transportation
• Feelings and Emotions
• House
• Jobs
• Animals
• Numbers
• Months of the Year