紫色
zǐsè
The English word violet can be translated into Chinese as 紫色 (zǐsè). Wiktionary also lists 紫羅蘭色 / 紫罗兰色 (zǐluólánsè).
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 紫色 | zǐsè |
| 紫羅蘭色 / 紫罗兰色 | zǐluólánsè |
The term refers to the color violet or purple.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 紫 refers to the color purple or violet.
Which one should you use?
紫色 is the general term used for the color purple or violet. If you want to refer specifically to the color of the violet flower, use 紫羅蘭色 (or its simplified form 紫罗兰色). To refer to the violet plant itself rather than the color, use 紫羅蘭 (or 紫罗兰).
How do you pronounce it?
zǐsè
Did you know?
- The word 色 in 紫色 means 'color' but can also mean 'eroticism' or 'lust' in different contexts. Context is essential to avoid a confusing misunderstanding.
- The 'Forbidden City' in Beijing is known as 紫禁城, which translates to the 'Purple Forbidden City'. This refers to the 'Purple Forbidden Enclosure', a constellation representing the celestial pole around which the heavens rotate.
- In ancient China, 紫色 was often reserved for the highest ranks of officials and royalty. Wearing this color without authorization could be seen as a serious offense.
Examples in context
- 这朵花的颜色是紫色。This flower is violet in color.This sentence is useful for identifying the color of a flower using 紫色.Tatoeba #6608373 by RainShelter, translation #6608232 by arh
- 我喜欢那件紫色的裙子。Wǒ xǐhuān nà jiàn zǐsè de qúnzi.I like that violet dress.
- 天空呈现出一种淡淡的紫色。Tiānkōng chéngxiàn chū yīzhǒng dàndàn de zǐsè.The sky shows a faint violet color.
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are looking at clothes in a boutique.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你看这件衣服是什么颜色的？Xiǎowén, nǐ kàn zhè jiàn yīfu shì shénme yánsè de?Xiaowen, look, what color is this piece of clothing?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是紫色的，非常适合你。Shì zǐsè de, fēicháng shìhé nǐ.It is violet, it suits you very well.
- 浩然 Haoran真的吗？那我试试看。Zhēn de ma? Nà wǒ shìshì kàn.Really? Then I will try it on.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，我觉得你会喜欢的。Hàorán, wǒ juéde nǐ huì xǐhuān de.Haoran, I think you will like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “violet” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
