靛青
diànqīng
The English word indigo can be translated into Chinese as 靛青 (diànqīng). Wiktionary also lists 靛藍 / 靛蓝 (diànlán).
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 靛青 | diànqīng |
| 靛藍 / 靛蓝 | diànlán |
In Chinese, these terms are used to describe the color indigo as both a noun and an adjective.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 靛青 is composed of 靛 (diàn), which specifically refers to the indigo plant or the indigo dye and 青 (qīng), a color term that can represent a range of colors from blue to green.
Which one should you use?
靛青 (diànqīng) is more commonly used when referring to the actual pigment or dye, whereas 靛藍 (diànlán) focuses on the blue hue itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, 靛藍 may be used to refer to indigo and in Taiwan, the term 藍靛色 can be used to refer to indigo.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
diànqīng
Did you know?
- If you use the term 青 (qīng) alone to describe a person's complexion, you are actually calling them 'pale' or 'ashen' rather than suggesting a healthy color.
- The phrase 青出于蓝 uses indigo as a metaphor because the dye produced from the plant is a deeper, more intense blue than the leaves of the plant itself.
- Traditional indigo dyeing in China is often associated with the 'Blue Calico' style of the south, where the deep 靛 color symbolized humility and hard work.
Examples in context
- 她的衣服是靛蓝色的。Her clothes are indigo in color.
- 我喜欢那件深蓝色的连衣裙。I like that indigo-colored dress.
- 我喜欢这种深靛青色。Wǒ xǐhuān zhè zhǒng shēn diànqīng sè.I like this kind of deep indigo color.
- 天空中透出一抹靛青。Tiānkōng zhōng tòuchū yī mǒ diànqīng.A hint of indigo shows through the sky.
Example conversation
At an art supply store, Zhìqiáng and Yǔtíng are looking at paints.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得这款靛青好看吗？Nǐ juéde zhè kuǎn diànqīng hǎokàn ma?Do you think this indigo looks good?
- 雨婷 Yuting非常漂亮，很有质感。Fēicháng piàoliang, hěn yǒu zhìgǎn.It's very beautiful and has a nice texture.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们就买这罐吧。Nà wǒmen jiù mǎi zhè guàn ba.Then let's buy this jar.
- 雨婷 Yuting好，志强，我也这么想。Hǎo, Zhìqiáng, wǒ yě zhème xiǎng.Okay, Zhìqiáng, I think so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indigo” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
