How to Say "Brown" in Korean - How To Say Guide

갈색

galsaek[ka̠ɭs͈ɛk̚]

The English word "brown" is 갈색 (galsaek) in Korean.

Meaning: having a brown color/colour (adj)

Is it said differently in some regions?

밤색 is a regional variation that means chestnut color.

galsaek

The word 갈색 comes from the Chinese characters for 'reed' and 'color'. This means 'brown' is conceptually linked to the color of dried reeds in autumn.
In historical contexts, 'brown' tones in traditional Korean clothing were often achieved using persimmon juice, leading to a deep, reddish-brown associated with rural life.
In Korean, colors are often categorized by their source in nature. The 'brown' family includes words based on tea, coffee, and soil, which are not always interchangeable with 갈색.

개는 대부분 갈색 눈을 가지고 있어.
Most dogs have brown eyes.
This sentence is useful for describing the color of a body part using 갈색.
Tatoeba #8363263 by Eunhee, translation #8120244 by Ergulis
갈색 드레스와 어울리는 모자를 찾고 있어요.
I'm looking for a hat to match a brown dress.
This sentence is useful for describing the color of clothing using 갈색.
Tatoeba #6820061 by yesjustryan, translation #277430 by CK
톰이 갈색 모자를 쓰고 있었다는 걸 기억하고 있어.
I remember Tom was wearing a brown hat.
This sentence is useful for remembering what someone was wearing using 갈색.
Tatoeba #8363526 by Eunhee, translation #7633896 by CK
갈색 옷
brown clothes
1 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are looking at a pair of shoes in a store.

현우 Hyeon-woo

이 신발은 갈색이에요?
i sinbal-eun gal-saek-ieyo?
Are these shoes brown?
서연 Seo-yeon

아니요, 진한 밤색인 것 같아요.
aniyo, jinhan bamsaek-in geot gat-ayo.
No, I think they are dark chestnut.
현우 Hyeon-woo

저는 갈색 신발을 찾고 있었거든요.
jeoneun gal-saek sinbal-eul chat-go isseot-geodeunyo.
I was looking for brown shoes.
서연 Seo-yeon

그럼 저쪽에 있는 걸 보세요.
geureom jeojjok-e it-neun geol boseyo.
Then please look at the ones over there.

Sources

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