Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Colors

Korean Vocabulary - Colors

Hi Korean learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn Korea's most commonly used colors, with their pronunciations and translations. Knowing colors in a foreign language is not only useful for daily conversations but it also helps better understanding a country's culture. Let's get started!
Don't forget, to improve your Korean Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Basic Colors

The basic color names are not too difficult to learn but some of them are similar to each other. Don't worry, we will give you some tips to easily differentiate them.

Korean	Pronunciation	English
검정	geomjung	Black
흰색	huinsaek	White
빨강	ppalgang	Red
주황	juhwang	Orange
노랑	norang	Yellow
초록	chorok	Green
파랑	parang	Blue
보라	bora	Purple

The following adjectives describing color are commonly used:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
검다	geomtta	To be black
희다	huida	To be white
하얗다	hayata	To be white
붉다	buktta	To be red
빨갛다	ppalgata	To be red
노랗다	norata	To be yellow
푸르다	pureuda	To be green, to be blue
파랗다	parata	To be blue

Tip: - The Korean word for green (초록) contains the word 초 meaning beginning or start. You can remember it as fresh beginnings and new grass.

Here is an example dialogue:

• Person 1: 이 재킷은 빨간데 어때요? (I jaekis-eun ppalgande eottaeyo?) (How do you like my red jacket?)
• Person 2: 정말 예쁘다. (Jeongmal yeppeuda.) (It's very pretty.)

Intermediate Colors

These colors will help you to better describe what you see, and are useful when you want to express more specific colors. Get ready to expand your vocabulary!

Korean	Pronunciation	English
연두색	yeondusaek	Lime green
오렌지색	orenjisaek	Orange
밝은 빨강	balgeun ppalgang	Bright red
진한 파랑	jinhan parang	Dark blue
연한 노랑	yeonhan norang	Light yellow
핑크	pingkeu	Pink
회색	hoesaek	Grey
갈색	galsaek	Brown
하늘색	haneulssaek	Sky blue
청록색	cheongnokssaek	Turquoise

Tip: - The Korean word for pink (핑크) is pinku. This is a borrowed word from English.

Here is an example dialogue:

• Person 1: 언니, 그 옷은 핑크예요? (Eonni, geu oseun pinku-yeyo?) (Sister, is that dress pink?)
• Person 2: 네, 이 옷은 핑크예요. (Ne, i oseun pinku-yeyo.) (Yes, this dress is pink.)

Cultural Significance of Colors in Korea

Colors are important in every culture, and Korea is no exception. Here are some examples of the significance of colors in Korea:

Red

Red is considered an auspicious color in Korea, and is often used during special occasions such as weddings and other celebrations. In particular, red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

White

Traditionally, Koreans wear white during funerals and show their respect by dressing in muted and subdued tones.

Yellow

Yellow is the color of royalty and was worn exclusively by the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty.

Green

Green symbolizes new beginnings, and is often associated with spring, new growth, and vitality.

Black

Black is a somber color often associated with mourning, although it is also worn as a sign of respect and formality.

And that's it for today's lesson on Korean colors. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

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• Food
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Body
• Count to 10
• Education
• Drinks
• How to say Good Bye?
• Geography
• Animals

Sources

• KoreanClass101. (n.d.). Korean colors: Everything you need to know. https://www.koreanclass101.com/korean-vocabulary-lists/colors/
• How to Learn a Rainbow of Colors in Korean
• Colors in Korean - Complete list with all shades [2023]
• Colors in Korean - Rocket Languages