색
saek[sʰɛk̚]
The English word 'color' is translated into Korean as 색 (saek).
The word refers to a particular set of the visible spectrum. While the base noun is 색, you will frequently encounter the form 색깔 in everyday speech.
Meaning: particular set of the visible spectrum (noun)
Which one should you use?
The form 색 is the standard noun, whereas 색깔 is a very common, slightly more colloquial way to express the concept of 'color'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying specific colors, Korean often uses the base noun with an adjective, such as 빨간색 for red, 파란색 for blue, 노란색 for yellow, 초록색 for green, 주황색 for orange, 보라색 for purple, 검은색 for black, 흰색 for white, 갈색 for brown and 회색 for gray.
How do you pronounce it?
saek
Did you know?
- While 파란색 is the word for 'blue', it is often used to describe things that English speakers call 'green', such as some traffic lights or certain forests, due to a historical overlap in the two categories.
- In traditional Korean philosophy, the five cardinal colors 오방색 represent the five elements and directions. These colors are still used today in traditional clothing and architecture to bring luck and ward off evil.
- The word 색 is also used to refer to 'lust' or 'eroticism' in many contexts, such as in the phrase 색정 meaning 'eroticism'.
Examples in context
- 너 새차 색깔이 뭐야?What color is your new car?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of a car.Tatoeba #6318472 by solar0425, translation #6267279 by CK
- 톰 머리는 어떤 색깔이야?What color is Tom's hair?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of someone's hair.Tatoeba #8365066 by Eunhee, translation #2420416 by CK
- 특별히 좋아하는 색깔같은 건 딱히 없어.I don't really have a favorite color.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have a favorite color.Tatoeba #8363214 by Eunhee, translation #8340605 by CK
- 그 연필은 빨간 색이에요.That pencil is red in color.
- 이 문은 예쁜 색깔이에요.This door has a beautiful color.
- 오늘 옷 빛깔이 예뻐.The color of your clothes today is beautiful.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are looking at a new sofa in a furniture store.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 이 소파 색 어때요?Hyeonu-ssi, i sopa saek eottaeyo?Hyunwoo, how is this sofa's color?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 색이 아주 고급스러워 보여요.Seoyeon-ssi, saek-i aju goksupseureowo boyeoyo.Seoyeon, the color looks very luxurious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그렇죠? 우리 집에 잘 어울릴 것 같아요.geureochyo? uri jibe jal eoulril geot gatayo.Right? I think it will suit our house well.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 이 색으로 결정해요.ne, i saek-euro gyeoljeonghaeyo.Yes, let's decide on this color.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
