하양
hayang[ha̠ja̠ŋ]
The English word white is expressed in Korean as 하양 (hayang). Wiktionary also lists 흰색 (huinsaek) and 백색 (baeksaek).
Meaning: color (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 하양 | hayang | [ha̠ja̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 흰색 | huinsaek | [çinsʰɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [çinsʰe̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 백색 | baeksaek | [pɛks͈ɛk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pe̞ks͈e̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The terms in this entry refer to the color white as a noun or the state of being white as an adjective.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 하양 is derived from an adjective root and represents the color white itself, often appearing in more poetic or soft contexts.
Which one should you use?
흰색 is the most common way to refer to the color white as a noun in everyday conversation. In contrast, 백색 is a more formal or technical term used in academic, artistic or professional contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you wish to use the adjective to modify a noun directly, such as saying 'white cat', use the form 흰. To describe the state of being white or pale, you can use the descriptive adjective 하얗다.
How do you pronounce it?
hayang
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, 흰색 is so deeply valued that the Korean people were historically known as the 'white-clad people', or 백의민족, because of their preference for wearing undyed white clothing.
- Korean has a variety of specific words for different shades of white, such as 뽀얗다 for a milky white or 하얘지다 to describe the process of turning white.
- While 흰색 is the common word for white, the Sino-Korean term 백색 appears in the word 백지, which literally means 'white paper' but is used idiomatically to mean 'starting from scratch' or a 'blank slate'.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 고양이를 키워. 그 고양이는 흰색 고양이야.She has a cat. The cat is white.This sentence shows how to use 흰색 to describe a cat.Tatoeba #8364941 by Eunhee, translation #316114 by CK
- 해변의 모래가 흰색이었다.The sand on the beach was white.This sentence uses 흰색 to describe the color of sand.Tatoeba #11105283 by intertime, translation #318495 by CK
- 마지막으로 그를 봤을때 그는 파란 셔츠에 흰색 바지를 입고 있었다.When I last saw him, he was wearing a blue shirt and white slacks.This sentence uses 흰색 to describe the color of slacks.Tatoeba #1533058 by mysonhs, translation #638087 by darinmex
- 교과서에는 백색 종이로 만들어진 사진이 있습니다.There are photos in the textbook made with white paper.
- 그 카페 로고는 흰색으로 이루어져 있어요.The café logo is composed of white colors.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are looking at a newly painted room.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 이 방 벽은 어떤 색이 좋을까?Do-hyeon ssi, i bang byeok-eun eotteon saek-i joeulkka?Do-hyeon, what color should the walls of this room be?
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 깔끔하게 하양으로 칠하는 건 어때?Ji-eun ssi, kkal-kkeum-hage hayang-euro chil-haneun geon eottae?Ji-eun, how about painting it white to make it look clean?
- 지은 Ji-eun하양이면 정말 밝아 보이겠다!hayang-imyeon jeongmal balg-a boigetta!If it's white, it will look really bright!
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 그게 제일 잘 어울릴 것 같아.eung, geuge jeil jal eoul-ril geot gata.Yeah, I think that would suit it best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white” translations and entries 하양, 흰색, 백색, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
