하늘색
haneulsaek[ha̠nɯɭs͈ɛk̚]
The English phrase 'light blue' is translated into Korean as 하늘색 (haneulsaek).
하늘색 refers to a pale blue color, such as the color of the sky. If you want to specifically describe a color as light or pale using an adjective, you can use the word 연한.
Meaning: a pale blue colour: sky blue or similar (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 하늘색 is a compound of 하늘, which means 'sky' and 색, which means 'color'. Literally, it translates to 'sky color'.
Which one should you use?
While 파란색 is the general term for the color blue, 하늘색 is used specifically to refer to a light, sky-like blue.
How do you pronounce it?
haneulsaek
Did you know?
- The concept of 'sky color' in Korean is deeply rooted in the traditional five-color system, 오방색, where blue-green hues represent the East and Spring.
- In modern Korean fashion and design, 하늘색 is often distinguished from 물색, which refers to the 'color of water' and is typically a slightly different shade of pale blue.
- Depending on the context, the phrase 파랗다 can be used to describe someone who looks pale or shocked, rather than the actual pigment of the skin.
Examples in context
- 그 벽은 하늘색으로 칠해져 있습니다.That wall is painted in light blue.
- 오늘은 하늘처럼 밝은 파란색 셔츠를 입었어요.Today, I am wearing a bright blue shirt like the sky.
- 연한 파란색은 너의 눈에 잘 어울려.Light blue suits your eyes well.
- 저는 하늘색 셔츠를 샀어요.jeoneun haneulseuk syeocheureul sasseoyo.I bought a light blue shirt.
- 벽을 하늘색으로 칠할까요?byeogeul haneulseug-euro chilhallkayo?Shall we paint the wall light blue?
Example conversation
At a clothing store, a woman is looking at shirts.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 이 하늘색 옷 어때요?Minji ssi, i haneulseuk ot eottaeyo?Minji, how about this light blue clothing?
- 민지 Min-ji하늘색이 저한테 아주 잘 어울려요.haneulseuga jeohante aju jal eoullyeoyo.The light blue suits me very well.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 민지 씨에게 정말 잘 어울리네요.majayo, Minji ssi-ege jeongmal jal eoullineyo.That's right, it really suits you, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 도현 씨. 이걸로 살게요.gomawoyo, Dohyeon ssi. igeollo salgeyo.Thank you, Dohyeon. I will buy this one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 하늘색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
