남색
namsaek[na̠msʰɛk̚]
The English phrase indigo is translated into Korean as 남색 (namsaek). Wiktionary also lists 남빛 (nambit) and 쪽빛 (jjokbit).
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 남색 | namsaek | [na̠msʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [na̠msʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 남빛 | nambit | |
| 쪽빛 | jjokbit | [t͡ɕ͈o̞k̚p͈it̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
남색 is the most common and neutral term used in technical, academic or everyday contexts to describe the color indigo.
Which one should you use?
While 남색 is a standard term for the color, 쪽빛 is a more poetic and traditional term specifically referring to the color of natural indigo dye. All three forms, 남빛, 쪽빛 and 남색, can also function as adjectives to describe a color.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
namsaek
Did you know?
- The term 남색 (namsaek) can also refer to 'homosexuality' when written with different Hanja characters, specifically 'male color'.
- Because natural indigo dyeing was incredibly labor-intensive, the color described by 쪽빛 (jjokbit) was historically a symbol of luxury and high social status.
- The word 쪽 in 쪽빛 refers to the indigo plant, but in other daily contexts, the same word is used to mean 'a piece' or 'a slice'.
Examples in context
- 그는 남색 넥타이를 맸어요.geuneun namsaek nektaireul maesseoyo.He wore an indigo tie.
- 하늘이 남색으로 변하고 있어요.haneuri namsaegeuro byeonhago isseoyo.The sky is turning indigo.
- 남색은 아주 차분한 색이에요.namsaegeun aju chabunhan saegieyo.Indigo is a very calm color.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are looking at clothing in a store.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 남색 원피스 어때요?i namsaek wonpiseu eottaeyo?How about this indigo dress?
- 민지 Min-ji색이 정말 예뻐요.saegi jeongmal yeppeoyo.The color is really pretty.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨한테 잘 어울릴 것 같아요.Minji ssihante jal eoullil geot gatayo.I think it will look good on you, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 이걸로 살게요.geureom igeollo salgeyo.Then I will buy this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indigo” translations and entries 남색, 쪽빛, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
