Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| màu | [maw˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [maw˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| Vietnamese: sắc |
The word màu is used to refer to a particular set of the visible spectrum. To specify a particular color, place màu directly before the name of the color, such as màu đỏ for 'red' or màu tím for 'purple'. While màu is the standard term, you can also use the related verb nhuộm when you mean to give something color.
Which one should you use?
màu is the standard, everyday term for 'color' used in most contexts. In contrast, sắc is a more formal or literary term for 'color', 'hue' or 'shade', which is often found in technical or artistic descriptions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Vietnamese, the adjective (color) normally follows the noun. Additionally, combining the two forms into the compound màu sắc creates a formal way to refer to 'colors' or 'coloration'.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, certain colors like màu vàng 'yellow' were historically reserved exclusively for the Emperor.
- The term sắc is frequently used in Buddhist contexts to refer to the 'material form' or 'physicality' of the world.
- The word màu is an evolved pronunciation of the Chinese word for 'appearance' mạo.
Examples in context
- Mắt vợ bạn màu gì?What color are your wife's eyes?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of someone's eyes using màu.Tatoeba #13769798 by leucammieuvu, translation #2260596 by Amastan
- Sô-cô-la có màu nâu.Chocolate has brown color.This sentence is useful for describing the color of chocolate using màu.Tatoeba #11338393 by chaule3, translation #11338388 by chaule3
- Cậu thích màu nào hơn?Which color do you prefer?This sentence is useful for asking about a preference between colors using màu.Tatoeba #3839552 by letuananh, translation #3836273 by emigonza
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Hùng are looking at a new painting in a gallery.
- MaiBức tranh này có màu gì vậy Hùng?What color is this painting, Hùng?
- HùngNó có màu vàng rất đẹp.It is a very beautiful yellow color.
- MaiĐúng là màu sắc rất rực rỡ.Indeed, the colors are very vibrant.
- HùngAnh thấy nó rất ấn tượng.I find it very impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “color” translations and entries màu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries màu, sắc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
