綠色
luk6 sik1
The Cantonese word for green is 綠色 (luk6 sik1).
綠色 is an adjective meaning having green as its colour. It can also function as a noun meaning the colour green.
Meaning: having green as its colour (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 綠色 is composed of 綠, which means green and 色, which means colour.
Which one should you use?
While 綠色 specifically refers to the color green, the word 青 (cing1) is a more traditional term that can refer to a range of colors including green, cyan or even bluish-green, often used in descriptions of nature such as 'green grass' or 'blue sky'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
luk6 sik1
Did you know?
- In Cantonese culture, wearing a 綠色 hat is a slang term for being cheated on by a romantic partner. This makes giving a green hat as a gift a major social taboo.
- The character 綠 (luk6) is composed of a silk radical and a phonetic element. This reveals that in ancient times, the word was closely associated with the dyeing of silk fabrics.
- In some older Cantonese literature, the term 青 is used to describe 'black' hair, a concept that feels counterintuitive to English speakers.
Examples in context
- 我哋將道門油咗做綠色。We painted the door green.This sentence is useful for describing painting an object the color 綠色.Tatoeba #487477 by nickyeow, translation #248217 by CK
- 佢將成道門油咗做綠色。He painted the door green all over.Tatoeba #526716 by nickyeow, translation #291925 by barryo
- 冇色嘅綠色諗法瞓得好嬲。Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of 綠色 in a complex sentence.Tatoeba #759738 by kaenif, translation #702472 by mailohilohi
- 呢個標誌有綠色嘅方塊。 Nei5 go3 biu1 zi1 jau5 luk6 sik1 ge3 fong1 kek6.This logo has a green square.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing which car to buy.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你鍾意邊架車？nei5 zung1 ji3 bin1 gaa3 ce1?Which car do you like?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我最鍾意嗰架綠色嘅車。ngo5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 go2 gaa3 luk6 sik1 ge3 ce1.I like that green car the most.
- 子健 Tsz Kin綠色係唔係太搶眼？luk6 sik1 hai6 m4 hai6 taai3 coeng2 ngaan5?Isn't green too eye-catching?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan唔係呀，我覺得好靚。m4 hai6 aa3, ngo5 gok3 dak1 hou2 leng3.No, I think it's very beautiful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
