회색(灰色)의
hoesaeg-ui
The English word gray is translated into Korean as 회색(灰色)의 (hoesaeg-ui) or 잿빛의.
Meaning: of a color somewhere between white and black, like cinders (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 회색(灰色)의 | hoesaeg-ui |
| 잿빛의 | jaetbich-ui |
The term 회색(灰色)의 refers to the color between white and black. The related form 회색 is used when referring to the color as a noun. The term 잿빛의 is often used metaphorically to describe a gloomy, bleak or lifeless atmosphere, such as a 잿빛 sky.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 잿빛 is composed of 재 (ash) and 빛 (light/color/hue).
Which one should you use?
회색(灰色)의 is the standard, technical or literal term for the color gray. In contrast, 잿빛의 is more descriptive and often carries a poetic or atmospheric connotation of an 'ashy' hue.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is hoesaeg-ui.
Did you know?
- In Korean political history, the term 회색분자 (gray element) was used to describe people who refused to take a side during ideological conflicts.
- While 회색 is the technical term, if you are describing a person's hair turning gray, you would more likely use the term 흰머리 (white hair) rather than a word for gray.
- In traditional Korean color theory, the five primary colors are used, and gray is not one of them, often being viewed as a mixture or a lack of primary vitality.
Examples in context
- 오늘 날씨에 어울리는 회색 셔츠를 입을 거야.I'm going to wear a gray shirt that suits the weather today.
- 이 그림에는 멋진 그레이 색조가 돋보여요.This picture showcases a fantastic gray tone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gray” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
