粉色
fěnsè
The English word "pink" is translated into Chinese as 粉色 (fěnsè). Wiktionary also lists 粉紅色 / 粉红色 (fěnhóngsè).
Meaning: colored/coloured between red and white (adj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 粉色 | fěnsè |
| 粉紅色 / 粉红色 | fěnhóngsè |
The term is an adjective used to describe a color between red and white. You may also encounter 粉红 as a two-character adjective used to describe things, such as pink flowers, which is often used in more literary contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 粉 (fěn) literally means 'powder' or 'dust', denoting the light, powdery quality of the color. In the form 粉红色, the character 红 (hóng) means 'red', so the term literally translates to 'powder-red color'.
Which one should you use?
While 粉色 is a concise and common way to refer to the color in general, 粉红色 specifically emphasizes the 'redness' of the pink. Additionally, the version 粉红 can be used as an adjective without the suffix 色 (sè).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term for pink is 粉紅色.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
fěnsè
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, the term 粉红 (fěnhóng) can refer to 'Little Pinks', a group of young nationalist netizens who defend the Chinese government online.
- The character 粉 (fěn) is used in the word 粉丝 (fěnsī), which is a phonetic loanword used to mean 'fans' of a celebrity or idol.
- When using 粉 as a prefix for other colors, it can change the meaning from a bright hue to a soft, pastel version of that color.
Examples in context
- 我的笔记本是粉色的。My notebook is pink.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a specific object using 粉色.Tatoeba #1763159 by sadhen, translation #1763152 by CK
- 她穿了一件粉红色的连衣裙。She wore a pink dress.
- 他给她买了一个桃红色的礼物。He bought her a peach-colored gift.
- 这件粉色的衣服很漂亮。Zhè jiàn fěnsè de yīfu hěn piàoliang.This pink piece of clothing is very beautiful.
- 你喜欢粉色的花吗？Nǐ xǐhuān fěnsè de huā ma?Do you like pink flowers?
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are shopping for a gift.
- 伟 Wei你想买哪个颜色的杯子？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi nǎge yánsè de bēizi?Which color cup do you want to buy?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想买那个粉色的。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi nàge fěnsè de.I want to buy the pink one.
- 伟 Wei粉色的确实很可爱。Fěnsè de quèshí hěn kě'ài.The pink one is indeed very cute.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pink” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
