棕色
zōngsè
In Chinese, the English phrase 'brown' can be expressed in several ways, most commonly as 棕色 (zōngsè). Wiktionary also lists 褐色 (hèsè) and 咖啡色 (kāfēisè).
Meaning: having a brown color/colour (adj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 棕色 | zōngsè |
| 褐色 | hèsè |
| 咖啡色 | kāfēisè |
The terms for 'brown' function as both adjectives describing a color and as nouns meaning the color itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 棕色 (zōngsè) is composed of 棕 (palm/brown plant) and 色 (color). The word 咖啡色 (kāfēisè) literally means 'coffee color'.
Which one should you use?
棕色 is the most common general term for brown, often used for hair or natural materials. 褐色 often refers to a darker, more earthy or reddish-brown shade, frequently used in formal or scientific descriptions. 咖啡色 is commonly used in fashion or when describing specific shades like 'coffee brown'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using these color words as adjectives before a noun, it is most natural to add the particle 的 after the color, such as 棕色的鞋 (brown shoes).
How do you pronounce it?
zōngsè
Did you know?
- Ancient Chinese texts often lacked a dedicated word for 'brown', frequently grouping it under shades of 'red' 红 or 'black' 黑 depending on the intensity.
- In some Chinese contexts, describing someone's skin as 咖啡色 (coffee color) is often a compliment used to describe a healthy, sun-kissed tan rather than a natural skin tone.
- In some traditional Chinese color contexts, the concept of 'brown' or 'earthy' tones can be associated with the element 'Earth' (土 tǔ), one of the five fundamental elements.
Examples in context
- 她有棕色鞋。She has brown shoes.This sentence shows how to use 棕色 to describe shoes.Tatoeba #5617315 by verdastelo9604, translation #5340993 by Amittai
- 我的头发是褐色的。I have brown hair.This sentence shows how to use 褐色 to describe hair.Tatoeba #8829217 by crescat, translation #436665 by lukaszpp
- 玛丽的褐色眼睛很美。Mary has beautiful brown eyes.This sentence shows how to use 褐色 to describe eyes.Tatoeba #8902612 by crescat, translation #2045814 by CK
- 我喜欢棕色的衣服。I like brown clothes.
- 这个椅子是棕色的。This chair is brown.
- 他的头发是褐色的。His hair is brown.
- 那只小狗有褐色的斑点。That puppy has brown spots.
- 这个包包是咖啡色的。This bag is brown.
- 她戴着一副咖啡色的太阳镜。She is wearing a pair of brown sunglasses.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are talking about a new bag.
- 浩然 Haoran你喜欢这个棕色的包吗？Nǐ xǐhuān zhège zōngsè de bāo ma？Do you like this brown bag?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我很喜欢，颜色很经典。Wǒ hěn xǐhuān, yánsè hěn jīngdiǎn.I like it very much, the color is very classic.
- 浩然 Haoran我觉得它很适合你。Wǒ juéde tā hěn shìhé nǐ.I think it suits you well.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，浩然。Xièxiè nǐ, Hàorán.Thank you, Haoran.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brown” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
