How to Say "Gray" in Chinese - How To Say Guide

灰色

huīsè

The English word "gray" is translated into Chinese as 灰色 (huīsè).

The term refers to a color situated between white and black, similar to the color of cinders.

Meaning: of a color somewhere between white and black, like cinders (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The character 灰 (huī) literally means "ash".

To use 灰色 as an adjective modifying a noun, you often add the particle 的 to form 灰色的.

huīsè

When describing a person's hair turning gray, Chinese speakers often use the term 白 (bái, white) instead of 灰 (huī, gray).
The radical within the character 灰 is the 'fire' radical 火, because ash is the direct byproduct of a fire.
In traditional Chinese culture, gray tones are highly valued in ink wash painting, where artists use varying shades of 灰 to create atmospheric depth and mist.

她的襪子是灰色的。
Her socks are gray.
This sentence demonstrates using 灰色 to describe the color of socks.
Tatoeba #5780288 by xjjAstrus, translation #435088 by lukaszpp
我可以借你的灰色西装吗？
Could I borrow your gray suit?
This sentence shows how to use 灰色 to describe a suit.
Tatoeba #8589287 by easononizuka, translation #3170749 by CK
我的办公室在那幢灰色的六层楼的四楼。
My office is on the fourth floor of that gray six-story building.
This sentence illustrates describing a building with the color 灰色.
Tatoeba #8500070 by maxine, translation #251001 by CK
我最喜欢穿灰色的衣服。(Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chuān huīsè de yīfú.)
I like to wear gray clothes the most.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yuting and Wei are looking at a new coat in a store.

雨婷 Yuting

你觉得这件灰色的外套怎么样？
Nǐ juéde zhè jiàn huīsè de wàitào zěnmeyàng?
What do you think of this gray coat?
伟 Wei

我觉得这个颜色很经典。
Wǒ juéde zhège yánsè hěn jīngdiǎn.
I think this color is very classic.
雨婷 Yuting

比黑色看起来更轻快一些。
Bǐ hēisè kàn qǐlái gèng qīngkuài yīxiē.
It looks a bit lighter than black.
伟 Wei

是的，灰色很适合你。
Shì de, huīsè hěn shìhé nǐ.
Yes, gray suits you very well.

Sources

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