Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 빨간색 | ppalgansaek | [p͈a̠ɭɡa̠nsʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [p͈a̠ɭɡa̠nsʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 빨강 | ppalgang | [p͈a̠ɭɡa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The terms in this pack refer to the color red. While referring to the color itself, you may also encounter related adjectives such as 빨갛다 or 붉다, which mean to be red or to have a reddish hue. In a political context, the term 좌익 is used to describe someone or something as left-wing, socialist or communist.
Which one should you use?
빨강 and 빨간색 both mean red, but 빨강 is often used as a noun for the color itself, whereas 빨간색 is the more common way to specify the color in a descriptive sense. Regarding adjectives, 빨갛다 is the common, everyday word for red, while 붉다 is more literary or formal and often implies a deeper, more intense or reddish hue. Additionally, the term 적색 and the phrase 붉은색 are also used to mean red.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'red' as an adjective to modify a noun, the adjective 빨갛다 is typically conjugated to 빨간.
How do you pronounce it?
ppalgansaek
Did you know?
- Writing a living person's name in red ink is still considered a major social taboo and can be interpreted as a wish for their death.
- In South Korea, calling someone 빨갛다 (red) can be a serious political accusation, as it is a slang term for being a communist.
- In Korea, wearing red can be seen as a way to ward off bad luck or evil spirits. While not a strict rule, red is often associated with protection and warding off negativity in traditional contexts.
Examples in context
- 난 빨간색 앵무새가 좋아.I love red parrots.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the color with 빨간색.Tatoeba #8365104 by Eunhee, translation #5757570 by CM
- 그 사람의 손톱은 빨간색이야.Her nails are red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of nails using 빨간색.Tatoeba #8365107 by Eunhee, translation #754104 by CM
- 그 빨강 스웨터가 너한테 잘 맞아 보인다.That red sweater looks good on you.This sentence shows how to use the noun form 빨강 to describe a sweater.Tatoeba #11105151 by intertime, translation #68038 by CK
- 그는 붉은 포도를 사러 시장에 갔다.He went to the market to buy red grapes.
- 붉은 장미에는 당신의 사랑이 담겨있다.Your love is enclosed in the red roses.
- 빨간 사과 좋아해요?Do you like red apples?
- 그는 빨간 자켓을 입고 있다.He is wearing a red jacket.
- 저기 저 붉은 풍선 말고 이 적색 풍선 주세요.Excuse me, could you give me the red balloon instead of that red one?
- 아름답게 꽃피운 적색 벚꽃은 사랑의 기쁨을 상징합니다.Beautifully bloomed red cherry blossoms symbolize the joy of love.
- 저기 붉은색 바나나 한 송이 주세요.Could you give me a red banana over there?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are looking at a variety of colored folders.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 어떤 색깔 폴더가 필요해요?Hyeon-u ssi, eotteon saek-kkal pol-deo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo?Hyunwoo, which color folder do you need?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 빨간색 폴더를 원해요.Jeo-neun ppal-gan-saek pol-deo-reul won-hae-yo.I want a red folder.
- 민지 Min-ji여기 빨간색 폴더가 많이 있어요.Yeo-gi ppal-gan-saek pol-deo-ga ma-ni it-eo-yo.There are many red folders here.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요, 민지 씨.Go-ma-wo-yo, Min-ji ssi.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red” translations and entries 빨간색, 빨강, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
