棕色
zōngsè
In Mandarin, the English phrase "brown" can be expressed 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
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 棕色 | zōngsè |
| 褐色 | hèsè |
| 咖啡色 | kāfēisè |
You can use 深褐色 to mean dark brown, 浅褐色 for light brown and 红褐色 for reddish brown. The word 布朗 is also used as a transliteration of the English surname "Brown".
What does it mean word for word?
The term 棕色 is composed of 棕, which can refer to palm or the color brown and 色, meaning color. The term 咖啡色 literally means "coffee color".
Which one should you use?
While 棕色 is a general term for the color brown, 咖啡色 is often used specifically to refer to darker shades that resemble the color of coffee.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 褐色 as an adjective before a noun, it is common to add the particle 的 to form 褐色的.
How do you pronounce it?
zōngsè
Did you know?
- The word 褐 in 褐色 originally referred to a coarse, brown cloth worn by commoners or monks in ancient China.
- The character 棕 in 棕色 specifically refers to the fibers of the sugar palm tree, which are naturally brown.
- In many Chinese contexts, describing someone's skin as 棕色 or 'brown' can feel more like a description of a tanned or sun-kissed complexion rather than a literal pigment color.
Examples in context
- 她有棕色鞋。She has brown shoes.This example 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 example 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 example shows how to use 褐色 to describe eyes.Tatoeba #8902612 by crescat, translation #2045814 by CK
- 我喜欢那件褐色的大衣。I like that brown coat.
- 这只温柔的小熊是棕色的。This gentle little bear is brown.
- 我买了一双咖啡色的皮鞋。I bought a pair of brown leather shoes.
- 这款包包的颜色很漂亮，就像焦糖一样。The color of this bag is beautiful, just like caramel.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a clothing store, Jia Yi and Jun Jie are looking at accessories.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你看这个棕色的皮带怎么样？Junjie, nǐ kàn zhège zōngsè de pídài zěnmeyàng?Jun Jie, what do you think of this brown belt?
- 俊杰 Junjie我觉得这个棕色的很适合你。Wǒ juéde zhège zōngsè de hěn shìhé nǐ.I think this brown one suits you well.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我也要买一个棕色的包。Nà wǒ yě yào mǎi yí gè zōngsè de bāo.Then I also want to buy a brown bag.
- 俊杰 Junjie好啊，我们去看看吧。Hǎo a, wǒmen qù kànkan ba.Okay, let's go take a look.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brown” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
