보라색
borasaek[po̞ɾa̠sʰɛk̚]
The Korean word for purple is 보라색 (borasaek). Wiktionary also lists 자주색 (jajusaek) and 보라색의 (borasaegui).
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 보라색 | borasaek | [po̞ɾa̠sʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [po̞ɾa̠sʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 자주색 | jajusaek | [t͡ɕa̠d͡ʑusʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕa̠d͡ʑusʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 보라색의 | borasaegui |
The terms are used to describe the color purple as a noun or an adjective. While both describe shades in the purple spectrum, they can differ in specific hue and you can also use the term 보랏빛 to describe a purplish tint or glow.
Which one should you use?
보라색 refers to a standard violet or purple. In contrast, 자주색 is often used to describe a deeper, reddish-purple or a shade leaning towards magenta.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
보라색 is the noun form. By adding the particle 의 to create 보라색의, you turn the noun into a possessive or adjectival form used to modify other nouns. Additionally, 보랏빛 can be used specifically to describe a purplish hue or tint.
How do you pronounce it?
borasaek
Did you know?
- The word 보라 is also the imperative form of the verb 'to see' or 'to look'. This creates a playful linguistic coincidence where saying 보라색 can sound like a command to 'look at the color'.
- In modern K-pop fandom culture, the phrase 'I purple you' (inspired by the Korean word 보라) has become a widely recognized way to express trust and long-lasting love.
- The word 보라 in 보라색 is a native Korean word, unlike many other color terms in Korean which are derived from Chinese characters.
Examples in context
- 저는 보라색을 좋아해요.jeoneun borasaegeul joahaeyo.I like purple.
- 이 꽃은 보라색이에요.i kkocheun borasaegieyo.This flower is purple.
- 보라색 연필이 어디 있어요?borasaek yeonpili eodi isseoyo?Where is the purple pencil?
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are shopping for a new bag.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 이 가방 어때요?Minji ssi, i gabang eottaeyo?Minji, how about this bag?
- 민지 Min-ji색깔이 너무 진해요.saekkkari neomu jinhaeyo.The color is too strong.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 보라색은 어떠세요?geureom borasaegeun eotteoseyo?Then how about purple?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 보라색이 훨씬 좋아요.ne, borasaegi hwolssin joayo.Yes, purple is much better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purple” translations and entries 보라색, 자주색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
