Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노란 | noran | [no̞ɾa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 노랗다 | norata | [ˈno̞(ː)ɾa̠tʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | predicative |
The term is used to describe something that possesses the color yellow. Depending on the structure of your sentence, you will choose between a form that modifies a noun or a form that acts as the main descriptor at the end of a sentence.
Which one should you use?
The form 노란 is the adnominal form used to modify a noun directly, such as 'a yellow shirt'. In contrast, when you want to refer to the color itself as a subject or object, you should use the noun forms 노랑 or 노란색.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 노란 is an adnominal used immediately before a noun. The form 노랗다 is the dictionary form used as a predicate at the end of a sentence to state that something is yellow. To create the noun for the color itself, you can add the suffix –색 to the stem to form 노란색.
How do you pronounce it?
noran
Did you know?
- In Korean, describing someone's complexion as 누렇다 instead of 노랗다 suggests a sickly or pale yellow tone rather than a bright one.
- Korean has a variety of words for yellow that change the emotional 'feeling' of the color, such as 누렇다, which often describes a deeper, more golden or dull yellow.
- The historical form of the word was recorded as early as 1103 in the text 계림유사, showing that the concept of the color has remained linguistically stable for nearly a millennium.
Examples in context
- 톰은 노란 셔츠를 입고 있어.Tom is wearing a yellow shirt.This sentence shows how to use 노란 to modify a noun.Tatoeba #8367102 by Eunhee, translation #8351443 by CK
- 그의 셔츠는 회색이었고, 넥타이는 노란색이었어.His shirt was gray and his tie was yellow.This sentence demonstrates the use of 노란 to describe parts of an outfit.Tatoeba #13756521 by qlTmalffk, translation #285352 by AlanF_US
- 잎들이 노랗다.The leaves are yellow.This sentence shows how to use the predicative form 노랗다 at the end of a sentence.Tatoeba #10609019 by ssuss32, translation #5927330 by mailohilohi
- 그 드레스는 황색이 예쁘군요.That dress looks beautiful in yellow.
- 노란 꽃Yellow flowers
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are looking at flowers in a garden.
- 수빈 Su-bin저 노란 꽃 좀 봐.jeo noran kkot jom bwa.Look at those yellow flowers.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 예쁘다.jeongmal yeppeuda.They are really pretty.
- 수빈 Su-bin노란색이 아주 밝아.noransaegi aju balga.The yellow color is very bright.
- 도현 Do-hyeon기분이 좋아지는 색이야.gibuni joajineun saegiya.It is a color that makes me feel good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yellow” translations and entries 노란, 노랗다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 노랗다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
