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- Mandarin Chinese
A vivid and visual guide to colors in Chinese and their meanings
Author
Marco Monroy
For the superstitious and otherwise, learning the colors in Chinese can bring you favorable outcomes.
Whether you believe in superstitions and the symbolism of colors or not, knowing how to talk about a wide variety of colors in Chinese will allow you to express yourself in a much more complete way. From painting more vivid stories to being more specific with your descriptions, learning a few colors will help you tremendously in your Chinese-learning journey.
But we won’t just give you a handful of colors — that would be much too simple! What’s the beauty in life if we can’t express our words in lilac, turquoise, and ultramarine? Being able to experience different hues and tones is part of what makes life so beautiful, and the same is true for languages. Why learn Chinese if you aren’t planning to fill your sentences with color?
Plus, traditional Chinese culture has a different way of dealing with colors and color hues. Perhaps you’d be surprised to learn that their way of categorizing colors is quite different from the Western way, so there are many shades and hues that exist in Chinese that don’t exist in English! For your convenience, we’ll cover both Western and traditional Chinese colors in this guide, leaving you with 187 unique tones and shades!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of contents
- Why learn all the colors in Chinese?
- Colors in Chinese
- Shades of purple
- Shades of orange
- Shades of blue
- Shades of red
- Shades of yellow
- Shades of brown
- Shades of pink
- Shades of green
- Shades of black
- Shades of white
- Fun Chinese idioms related to colors
- FAQs about Chinese colors
Why learn all the colors in Chinese?
If you’re just getting started with your Mandarin classes, then you might be wondering if it’s too early to spend time learning all the colors. However, there are many reasons to start thinking about Chinese colors early on in your journey. Here are a few reasons why you should learn them in the earlier stages:
- Describe more accurately. Of course, one of the main reasons to learn them is to be able to describe the objects around you. Now, you’ll be able to point out that blue shirt and that red car.
- Colors are part of everyday life. You'll unlock a whole new level of appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of Chinese culture & gain a new way to feel and understand the world.
- Colors are cultural. Colors in Chinese culture are more than just shades – they embody the unique aesthetic taste, ancient cultural heritage, and worldviews of Chinese people.
- Understand more Chinese idioms. There are countless idioms in Chinese that use colors. Without knowing how to say the colors in Chinese, there’s no way you’d understand these fun and insightful idioms.
Colors in Chinese
Before we jump into this massive list of 187 colors in Mandarin, we should start with the very basics: how to say color in Chinese. The word for color is 颜色 (yán sè), which is made up of the character 颜 (yán) for “face” or “appearance” and 色 (sè) for “color.” This last one is especially important, as it also appears as the second character in all the main colors, like:
- 白色 (bái sè) — white
- 黑色 (hēi sè) — black
- 蓝色 (lán sè) — blue
- 红色 (hóng sè) — red
- 绿色 (lǜ sè) — green
As you can see, all of these colors have the 色 from 颜色 at the end. This is a quick way for you to realize that a word is a color, even if you haven’t learned it yet or can’t remember it.
Now, before we get started with all the beautiful shades of colors, we need to discuss the difference between colors in Chinese and Western culture.
Difference between colors in Chinese and Western cultures
In Western culture, colors are associated with physical properties and scientific theories. Plants, animals, and natural phenomena are widely embraced and incorporated into the realm of colors. One prominent example is the creation of the seven-color spectrum. Sir Isaac Newton, through the ingenious use of a prism, refracted sunlight and revealed its hidden composition: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet.
Following this groundbreaking discovery, physicists delved into the scientific exploration of color, ultimately unveiling three fundamental color attributes: brightness, purity, and hue. Furthermore, a systematic numerical coding system was devised to precisely categorize each distinct color.
In Chinese culture, colors are derived from nature & imagination. Traditional Chinese colors are based on the concept of expressing ideas through colors. Chinese art primarily uses mineral and plant materials as raw materials, so the formula people use to name colors: color name = name of the material as a modifier + inherent color of the material.
We can read each Chinese color as an aesthetic painting. It depicts organisms or objects found in everyday life. It also represents people’s experiences and interpretations of the world.
Shades of purple
Purple comes in many fun as well as relaxing shades. From a vibrant violet to a laid-back lavender, you can take advantage of this color’s versatility and implement some of these shades into your vocabulary.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Lavender | 薰衣草色 | xūn yī cǎo sè | shiun i tsao seh | #E39FF6 |
| Purple | 紫色 | zǐ sè | tzyy seh | #800080 |
| Violet | 紫罗兰色 | zǐ luó lán sè | tzyy luo lan seh | #710193 |
| Grape | 葡萄紫 | pú táo zǐ | pwu taur tzyy | #6F2DA8 |
| Mauve | 淡紫色 | dàn zǐ sè | dann tzyy seh | #FFD700 |
| Mulberry | 桑葚紫 | sāng shèn zǐ | sang shenn tzyy | #7FFF00 |
| Plum | 紫红色 | zǐ hóng sè | tzyy horng seh | #601A35 |
| Plum | 梅红色 | méi hóng sè | mei horng seh | #601A35 |
| Lilac | 丁香紫 | dīng xiāng zǐ | ding shiang tzyy | #C812C8 |
| Indigo | 蓝紫色 | lán zǐ sè | lan tzyy seh | #4B0082 |
| Indigo | 靛蓝色 | diàn lán sè | diann lan seh | #4B0082 |
Traditional Chinese purple
In traditional Chinese culture, purple represents immortality and divine beings. Today, however, purple represents love and romance in China. Since red is already taken by luck and auspiciousness, purple is commonly used by the younger generations to signify love!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Dark Reddish Purple | 绛紫 | jiàng zǐ | jianq tzyy | #815476 | A dark and reddish-purple color often associated with sunset glow. |
| Rosewood | 紫檀 | zǐ tán | tzyy tarn | #4C221B | A warm, reddish-purple hue resembling rosewood. |
| Goldfish purple | 金鱼紫 | jīn yú zǐ | jin yu tzyy | #500A16 | A purple color reminiscent of the vibrant hues seen in goldfish. |
| Pig liver purple | 猪肝紫 | zhū gān zǐ | ju gan tzyy | #541E24 | A rich and dark shade of purple similar to the color of pig liver. |
| Blackish purple | 绀青 | gàn qīng | gann ching | #003371 | A deep, dark shade of blue, often associated with indigo dye. |
| Begonia purple | 紫棠 | zǐ táng | tzyy tarng | #56004F | A purplish-red color resembling the purple begonia. |
| Lotus blue | 青莲 | qīng lián | ching lian | #801DAE | A serene and light shade of blue resembling lotus flowers. |
| Snowy blue | 雪青 | xuě qīng | sheue ching | #B0A4E3 | A pale, cool-toned shade of blue resembling snowy skies. |
| Morning glory purple | 牵牛紫 | qiān niú zǐ | chian niou tzyy | #A22076 | A deep purple resembling purple morning glory. |
Shades of orange
Orange comes in many shades, from the cozy fall pumpkin tones to the funky and tropical citrus-orange hues. Below are some of the most common shades of orange in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Tangerine | 柑橘色 | gān jú sè | gan jyu seh | #F28500 |
| Orange | 橙色 | chéng sè | cherng seh | #FFA500 |
| Amber | 琥珀色 | hǔ pò sè | huu poh seh | #FFBF00 |
| Amber | 橙黄色 | chéng huáng sè | cherng hwang seh | #FFBF00 |
| Bronze | 古铜色 | gǔ tóng sè | guu torng seh | #B2560D |
| Burnt Orange | 焦橙色 | jiāo chéng sè | jiau cherng seh | #CC5500 |
| Marmalade | 果酱橙 | guǒ jiàng chéng | guoo jianq cherng | #D16002 |
| Mango | 芒果色 | máng guǒ sè | mang guoo seh | #FFBF34 |
| Rust | 铁锈色 | tiě xiù sè | tiee shiow seh | #AB0B23 |
| Papaya | 木瓜色 | mù guā sè | muh gua seh | #E66A35 |
Traditional Chinese orange
Orange in traditional Chinese society is closely associated with red, and, as such, is used for similar purposes. You might be able to spot orange close to red decorations in Chinese New Year festivities!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Apricot yellow | 杏黄 | xìng huáng | shinq hwang | #FFA631 | A light yellow-orange color resembling the hue of apricot |
| Orange yellow | 橙黄 | chéng huáng | cherng hwang | #FFA400 | A bright yellowish-orange color similar to the vibrant shade of oranges. |
| Pinkish orange | 美人焦橙 | měi rén jiāo chéng | meei ren jiau cherng | #FA7E23 | A pinkish orange resembles the hue of an orange-colored flower: Canna indica |
| Apricot red | 杏红 | xìng hóng | shinq horng | #FF8C31 | A reddish-orange color resembling the color of ripe apricots. |
| Tangerine yellow | 橘黄 | jú huáng | jyu hwang | #FF8936 | A yellowish-orange color similar to the shade of tangerines. |
| Ripe tangerine red | 橘红 | jú hóng | jyu hwang | #FF7500 | A reddish-orange color resembling the color of ripe tangerines. |
| Crab shell red | 蟹壳红 | xiè ké hóng | shieh ker horng | #F27635 | A dark red color that resembles the shell of a crab. |
| Chinese globeflower orange | 金莲花橙 | jīn lián huā chéng | jin lian hua cherng | #F86B1D | An orange color that resembles the hue of the Chinese globeflower. |
| Seashell orange | 海螺橙 | hǎi luó chéng | hae luo cherng | #F0945D | An orange color similar to the shade found in seashells. |
Shades of blue
Blue is one of the most popular and versatile colors, with tons of captivating shades that range from rich navy blue to mesmerizing Caribbean Sea turquoise. Here are some of the most common shades of blue in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Royal Blue | 皇家蓝 | huáng jiā lán | hwang jia lan | #281E5D |
| Royal Blue | 宝蓝色 | bǎo lán sè | bao lan seh | #281E5D |
| Blue | 蓝色 | lán sè | lan seh | #0000FF |
| Turquoise | 绿松色 | lǜ sōng sè | liuh song seh | #30D5C8 |
| Teal | 蓝绿色 | lán lǜ sè | lan liuh seh | #008080 |
| Cyan | 青色 | qīng sè | ching seh | #00FFFF |
| Sky Blue | 天蓝色 | tiān lán sè | tian lan seh | #63C5DA |
| Navy Blue | 海军蓝 | hǎi jūn lán | hae jiun lan | #000080 |
| Baby Blue | 淡蓝色 | dàn lán sè | dann lan seh | #89CFF0 |
| Midnight Blue | 午夜蓝 | wǔ yè lán | wuu yeh lan | #191970 |
Traditional Chinese blue
Blue in traditional Chinese is, like in the West, typically associated with masculine things. It’s also one of the most neutral colors, without overly positive or negative connotations, so feel free to use it freely in your Chinese projects.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Sky blue | 碧蓝 | bì lán | bih lan | #3EEDE7 | A bright and vibrant blue color resembling the color of the sky. |
| Azurite grayish-blue | 石青 | shí qīng | shyr ching | #1685A9 | A grayish-blue color resembling the color of Azurite stones. |
| Indigo blue | 靛蓝 | diàn lán | diann lan | #065279 | A deep blue color often associated with the dye derived from indigo plants. |
| Flower blue | 花青 | huā qīng | hua ching | #003472 | A purplish-blue color resembling the color of purplish-blue flowers. |
| Sapphire blue | 宝蓝 | bǎo lán | bao lan | #4B5CC4 | A rich and deep blue color resembling the color of sapphire gemstones. |
| Navy blue | 藏青 | zàng qīng | tzanq ching | #2E4E7E | A deep and dark blue color resembling the color of navy uniforms. |
| Blueish-black | 黛 | dài | day | #4A4266 | A dark bluish-black color often used to describe the paints women use for dressing eyebrows. |
| Glazed blue | 釉蓝 | yòu lán | yow lan | #1781B5 | A glossy, glazed blue color, reminiscent of the color used in traditional ceramic glazing. |
| Sky in a well blue | 井天蓝 | jǐng tiān lán | jiing tian lan | #C3D7DF | A serene shade of blue resembling the color of the clear sky reflected in a deep well. |
Shades of red
Whether you’re looking for a sporty red for your new car or a deep red for a smart and elegant cardigan, you’ll want to be familiar with these common shades of red in Chinese:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Burgundy | 勃艮第酒红 | bó gèn dì jiǔ hóng | bor geen dih jeou horng | #800020 |
| Red | 红色 | hóng sè | horng seh | #FF0000 |
| Cherry | 樱桃红 | yīng táo hóng | ing taur horng | #990F02 |
| Crimson | 绯红色 | fēi hóng sè | fei horng seh | #DC143C |
| Brick Red | 砖红色 | zhuān hóng sè | juan horng seh | #CB4154 |
| Blood Red | 血红色 | xuè hóng sè | shiueh horng seh | #710C04 |
| Maroon | 栗红色 | lì hóng sè | lih horng seh | #800000 |
| Berry | 浆果红 | jiāng guǒ hóng | jiang guoo horng | #AB0B23 |
| Scarlet | 猩红色 | xīng hóng sè | shing horng seh | #FF2400 |
Traditional Chinese red
Red is the most important in traditional Chinese society, as it symbolizes good luck, wealth, and joy. If you look at the Chinese stock market, you might be surprised to find out that stocks that are performing well are marked with red upwards arrows, while stocks that are losing value are marked with green downward arrows. Talk about flipping the script!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Pomegranate Red | 石榴红 | shí liú hóng | shyr liou horng | #F20C00 | A vibrant red color resembling the color of pomegranate seeds. |
| Vermilion Red | 朱红 | zhū hóng | ju horng | #FF4C00 | A bright and vivid red color often associated with vermilion pigment. |
| Red | 丹 | dān | dan | #FF4E20 | A vivid red color often used in traditional Chinese paintings. |
| Red | 彤 | tóng | torng | #FF4E20 | A vivid red color often used in traditional Chinese paintings. |
| Flamy red | 炎 | yán | yan | #FF3300 | A fiery red color resembling the color of flames. |
| Jujube red | 枣红 | zǎo hóng | tzao horng | #C32136 | A deep reddish-brown color resembling the color of jujube/dates. |
| Blood red | 殷红 | yān hóng | ian horng | #BE002F | A dark and rich red color often associated with blood. |
| Fiery red | 赫赤 | hè chì | heh chyh | #C91F37 | A bright and intense red color that is like fire. |
| Delicate fragrant petal red | 淡蕊香红 | dàn ruǐ xiāng hóng | dann roei shiang horng | #EE4866 | A light, delicate shade of red resembling the color of the petals of a fragrant flower. |
| Polished jade red | 尖晶玉红 | jiān jīng yù hóng | jian jing yuh horng | #CC163A | A vivid shade of red resembling the color of polished jade, known for its brightness and radiance. |
Shades of yellow
Yellow is another highly versatile color that can be happy and bright like the sunshine but also calm and demure like sand and cream. No matter how you feel about all these different shades, here are some of the most common tones of yellow in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Lemon | 柠檬黄 | níng méng huáng | ning meng hwang | #EFFD5F |
| Yellow | 黄色 | huáng sè | hwang seh | #FFFF00 |
| Cream | 奶油色 | nǎi yóu sè | nae you seh | #FFFDD0 |
| Canary | 金丝雀黄 | jīn sī què huáng | jin sy chiueh hwang | #FF00FF |
| Chartreuse | 黄绿色 | huáng lǜ sè | hwang liuh seh | #DFFF00 |
| Gold | 金黄色 | jīn huáng sè | jin hwang seh | #FFD700 |
| Light Yellow | 淡黄色 | dàn huáng sè | dann hwang seh | #FFFFA7 |
| Sand | 沙色 | shā sè | sha seh | #D8B863 |
| Mustard | 芥末黄 | jiè mò huáng | jieh moh hwang | #E1AD01 |
Traditional Chinese yellow
Historically, yellow represents the emperor, power, and royalty in traditional Chinese society. It’s also in the name of 黄河 (huáng hé), the Yellow River, which is one of the two most important rivers in China. However, keep in mind that the color yellow today can be tied to pornographic publications. For example, a “yellow film” isn’t going to be one about the Yellow River!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Primrose yellow | 樱草色 | yīng cǎo sè | ing tsao seh | #EAFF56 | A yellow color resembling the color of primrose. |
| Goose feather yellow | 鹅黄 | é huáng | er hwang | #FFF143 | A pale yellow color resembling the color of a goose's feathers. |
| Vine yellow | 藤黄 | téng huáng | terng hwang | #FFB61E | A vibrant yellow color resembling the color of vines / rattan. |
| Ginger yellow | 姜黄 | jiāng huáng | jiang hwang | #FFC773 | A warm yellow color resembling the color of ginger. |
| Silky yellow | 缃色 | xiāng sè | shiang seh | #F0C239 | A Silky Light Yellow resembling the color of light yellow silk. |
| Withered yellow | 枯黄 | kū huáng | ku hwang | #D3B17D | A dull yellow color resembling the color of withered leaves or grass. |
| Smoketree yellow | 黄栌 | huáng lú | hwang lu | #E29C45 | A brownish-yellow color resembling the color of smoketree. |
| Black gold | 乌金 | wū jīn | u jin | #A78E44 | A dark golden color with hints of black, resembling black gold. |
| Dusky yellow | 昏黄 | hūn huáng | huen hwang | #C89B40 | A dusky yellow color often associated with dusk or dim lighting. |
Shades of brown
Brown can be a very yummy color, with many delicious foods like chocolate, almonds, caramel, and walnuts representing different shades of brown. Check out these gorgeous shades of brown and pick your favorite!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Caramel | 焦糖色 | jiāo táng sè | jiau tarng seh | #65350F |
| Brown | 棕色 | zōng sè | tzong seh | #964B00 |
| Sepia | 棕褐色 | zōng hè sè | tzong heh seh | #80613C |
| Chestnut | 栗棕色 | lì zōng sè | tzong her seh | #3DED97 |
| Chocolate | 巧克力色 | qiǎo kè lì sè | cheau keh lih seh | #4E403B |
| Almond | 杏仁色 | xìng rén sè | shinq ren seh | #EED9C4 |
| Cedar | 雪松色 | xuě sōng sè | shinq ren seh | #4A3728 |
| Coffee | 咖啡色 | kā fēi sè | ka fei seh | #8A624A |
| Walnut | 胡桃色 | hú táo sè | hwu taur seh | #59392B |
Traditional Chinese brown
In traditional Chinese culture, brown is associated with the earth. As such, it is usually related to being grounded or being in nature. Check out these earthy brown tones from traditional Chinese culture!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Tea brown | 茶色 | chá sè | char seh | #B35C44 | A rich brown color resembling the color of brewed tea. |
| Ochre brown | 赭 | zhě | jee | #9C5333 | A deep reddish-brown color resembling the color of ochre clay. |
| Camel brown | 驼色 | tuó sè | two seh | #A88462 | A light brown color resembling the color of camel fur. |
| Autumn yellow | 秋色 | qiū sè | chiou seh | #896C39 | A color palette associated with autumn, featuring warm browns. |
| Black-ish brown | 玄色 | xuán sè | shyuan seh | #622A1D | A dark black color with hints of deep brown. |
| Antler brown | 鹿角棕 | lù jiǎo zōng | luh jeau tzong | #E3BD8D | A warm brown hue with a touch of reddish tint similar to the shade of deer antlers. |
| Withered leaf brown | 凋叶棕 | diāo yè zōng | diāo yè zōng | #E7A23F | A muted brown tone with subtle hints of yellow similar to withered leaves. |
| Cinnamon light brown | 桂皮淡棕 | guì pí dàn zōng | guey pyi dann tzong | #C09351 | A light shade of beige with a soft and warm undertone similar to cinnamon. |
| Oak leaf brown | 柞叶棕 | zhà yè zōng | jah yeh tzong | #692A1B | A rich and earthy brown shade with green undertones similar to oak leaves. |
Shades of pink
One of the most vibrant colors out there, pink is a very popular color thanks to its magenta, coral, and salmon hues. Here are some shades of pink in Chinese for all the pink lovers out there:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Peach | 桃红色 | táo hóng sè | taur horng seh | #FC9483 |
| Pink | 粉色 | fěn sè | feen seh | #FFC0CB |
| Coral | 珊瑚色 | shān hú sè | shan hwu seh | #FE7D6A |
| Rouge | 胭脂色 | yān zhī sè | ian jy seh | #F26B8A |
| Magenta | 洋红色 | yáng hóng sè | yang horng seh | #FF00FF |
| Salmon | 鲑鱼红 | guī yú hóng | guei yu horng | #FDAB9F |
| Blush | 腮红粉 | sāi hóng fěn | sai horng feen | #FEC5E5 |
| Hot Pink | 亮粉色 | liàng fěn sè | lianq feen seh | #FF69B4 |
| Strawberry | 草莓红 | cǎo méi hóng | tsao mei horng | #FC4C4E |
Traditional Chinese pink
Pink is considered a shade of red in traditional Chinese culture and, as such, is closely related to red and its meanings. Pink can symbolize happiness and good fortune, making it a good choice for cheerful events and situations.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Magenta | 洋红 | yáng hóng | yang horng | #FF4777 | A vivid purplish-red color with western influence, resembling the magenta pigment. |
| Peach blossom red | 桃红 | táo hóng | taur horng | #F47983 | A soft pink color resembling the color of peach blossoms. |
| Begonia red | 海棠红 | hǎi táng hóng | hae tarng horng | #DB5A6B | A bright red color resembling the color of begonia flowers. |
| Chinese cherry red | 樱桃色 | yīng táo sè | ing taur seh | #C93756 | A rich red color resembling the color of ripe Chinese cherries. |
| Blushed red | 酡颜 | tuó yán | two yan | #F9906F | A rosy red color resembling a blushed complexion after someone is drunk. |
| Bright red | 嫣红 | yān hóng | ian horng | #EF7A82 | A bright red color often associated with bright red flowers. |
| Peony red | 牡丹粉红 | mǔ dān fěn hóng | muu dan feen horng | #EEA2A4 | A shade of pink that resembles the color of peony flowers. |
| Mouse nose red | 鼠鼻红 | shǔ bí hóng | shuu byi horng | #E3B4B8 | A light and subtle reddish-pink shade similar to the color of a mouse’s nose. |
| Spring plum blossom red | 春梅红 | chūn méi hóng | chuen mei horng | #F1939C | A vibrant and rosy red similar to the shade of spring plum blossoms. |
Shades of green
Green is usually associated with plants and nature, and many of the shades of green are named after them. From lime to forest to olive, these are the shades of green in Chinese that all ecologists and nature lovers should be familiar with.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Sage | 鼠尾草绿 | shǔ wěi cǎo lǜ | chuen mei horng | #728C69 |
| Sage | 灰绿色 | huī lǜ sè | huei liuh seh | #728C69 |
| Green | 绿色 | lǜ sè | liuh seh | #3CB043 |
| Jade | 碧玉色 | bì yù sè | bih yuh seh | #00A86B |
| Jade | 翡翠色 | fěi cuì sè | feei tsuey seh | #00A86B |
| Seafoam | 海沫绿 | hǎi mò lǜ | hae moh liuh | #3DED97 |
| Lime | 青柠色 | qīng níng sè | ching ning seh | #AEF359 |
| Forest | 森林绿 | sēn lín lǜ | sen lin liuh | #0B6623 |
| Olive | 橄榄绿 | gǎn lǎn lǜ | gaan laan liuh | #98BF64 |
| Emerald | 祖母绿 | zǔ mǔ lǜ | tzuu muu liuh | #50C878 |
| Mint | 薄荷绿 | bò hé lǜ | boh her liuh | #99EDC3 |
Traditional Chinese green
Green is a somewhat tricky color in traditional Chinese culture. Although it also has some of the same ecological symbolism as in the West, you want to make sure to never wear green — especially a green hat. Wearing a green hat means that your partner has cheated on you, since the family members of prostitutes used to be forced to wear green hats during the Yuan Dynasty.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Willow green | 柳绿 | liǔ lǜ | leou liuh | #AFDD22 | A light green color resembling the color of willow leaves. |
| Pea pod green | 豆青 | dòu qīng | leou liuh | #96CE54 | A fresh green color resembling the color of young pea pods. |
| Fresh scallion green | 青葱 | qīng cōng | ching tsong | #0AA344 | A vibrant green color resembling the color of fresh scallions. |
| Pine tree needle green | 松花绿 | sōng huā lǜ | song hua liuh | #057748 | A deep green color resembling the color of pine tree needles. |
| Dark green | 绿沉 | lǜ chén | liuh chern | #0C8918 | A dark and muted green color. |
| Hazy green | 缥 | piǎo | peau | #7FECAD | A pale green color resembling a misty or hazy atmosphere. |
| Mugwort green | 艾绿 | ài lǜ | ay liuh | #A4E2C6 | A green color resembling the color of Chinese mugwort. |
| Emerald green | 青碧 | qīng bì | ching bih | #48c0a3 | A blueish-green color resembling the color of jade or emerald. |
| Bamboo green | 竹青 | zhú qīng | jwu ching | #789262 | A green color resembling the color of bamboo stems. |
Shades of black
You didn’t think black was just one color and that’s it, right? Even black can have some fun hues and tones, like midnight black and obsidian, helping you add some depth and texture to your black. Here are some examples of shades of black in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Ebony | 乌木色 | wū mù sè | u muh seh | #080402 |
| Black | 黑色 | hēi sè | hei seh | #000000 |
| Cool Black | 酷黑色 | kù hēi sè | kuh hei seh | #151922 |
| Ink | 墨黑色 | mò hēi sè | moh hei seh | #070504 |
| Obsidian | 曜石黑 | yào shí hēi | yaw shyr hei | #020403 |
| Jet Black | 亮黑色 | liàng hēi sè | lianq hei seh | #030303 |
| Charcoal | 炭黑色 | tàn hēi sè | tann hei seh | #28231D |
| Onyx | 玛瑙黑 | mǎ nǎo hēi | maa nao hei | #030104 |
| Midnight | 午夜黑 | wǔ yè hēi | wuu yeh hei | #040406 |
Traditional Chinese black
While blue is associated with water in the West, black is associated with water in traditional Chinese society. This makes black a mostly positive color in traditional Chinese society, although black today can have negative connotations. Avoid wearing black to auspicious events like weddings!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Crow black | 乌黑 | wū hēi | u hei | #392F41 | A deep black color resembling the color of a crow's feathers. |
| Blue-ish black | 玄青 | xuán qīng | shyuan ching | #3D3B4F | A dark and profound shade of blue-black. |
| Dark black-ish brown | 黎/黧黑 | lí hēi | li hei | #5D513C | A dark blackish-brown color often used to express the unhealthy complexion of a person. |
| Dark and shiny black | 黝黑 | yǒu hēi | yeou hei | #665757 | A dark and shiny black color often used to express the skin tone of a person. |
| Deep black | 缁色 | zī sè | tzy seh | #493131 | A deep and dark black color resembling the color of black mud. |
| Lacquer black | 漆黑 | qī hēi | chi hei | #161823 | A completely black color resembling the color of lacquer. |
| Ink black | 墨色 | mò sè | moh seh | #50616D | A deep and rich black tone resembling black ink. |
| Misty black | 百草霜 | bǎi cǎo shuāng | bae tsao shuang | #303030 | A soft black resembling the mist coming out of the chimney after miscellaneous weeds were burnt. |
| Burnt ash black | 灯草灰 | dēng cǎo huī | deng tsao huei | #363532 | A greyish black similar to the color of burnt grass ash/residue left behind in lamps. |
Shades of white
White also comes with some fun and chic shades like beige, ivory, and eggshell. Perfect for decorating your apartment or putting together a monochrome look! Here are some shades of white in Chinese so you know what to enter into the shopping apps.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Beige | 米色 | mǐ sè | mii seh | #F5F5DC |
| White | 白色 | bái sè | bair seh | #FFFFFF |
| Ivory | 象牙白 | xiàng yá bái | bair seh | #FFFFF0 |
| Eggshell | 蛋壳白 | dàn ké bái | dann ker bair | #F9FEFF |
| Coconut | 椰子白 | yē zǐ bái | ie tzy bair | #F0EDE5 |
| Pearl | 珍珠白 | zhēn zhū bái | jen ju bair | #F8F6F0 |
| Bone | 骨白色 | gǔ bái sè | guu bair seh | #F9F6EE |
| Alabaster | 石膏白 | shí gāo bái | shyr gau bair | #F8F3ED |
| Off white | 灰白色 | huī bái sè | huei bair seh | #FAF9F6 |
Traditional Chinese white
White in traditional Chinese culture represents purity, innocence, and death. You should also know that you should wear white if you ever have to attend a Chinese funeral, not black! As you now know, wearing black can bring bad luck to any event you attend — even funerals. Instead, be sure to wear white, no matter how odd it may sound to your Western ears!
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code | Comments |
| Silver white | 银白 | yín bái | yn bair | #E9E7EF | A color resembling the brightness and shine of silver. |
| Frosty white | 霜色 | shuāng sè | shuang seh | #E9F1F6 | A color resembling the icy, frosty appearance. |
| Crystal white | 莹白 | yíng bái | yng bair | #E3F9FD | A pure and translucent white color resembling crystal. |
| Moon white | 月白 | yuè bái | yueh bair | #D6ECF0 | A pale white color resembling the color of the moon. |
| Silky white | 缟白 | gǎo bái | gao bair | #F2ECDE | A silky white color resembling the color of plain silk without being dyed. |
| Fish belly white | 鱼肚白 | yú dù bái | yu duh bair | #FCEFE8 | A pale white color resembling the color of a fish's belly. |
| Bitter vegetable white | 荼白 | tú bái | twu bair | #F3F9F1 | A white color resembling the color of a traditional bitter vegetable. |
| Porcelain white | 青白 | qīng bái | ching bair | #C0EBD7 | A bluish-white resembling the color of jade or white porcelain. |
| Grayish white | 花白 | huā bái | hua bair | #C2CCD0 | A white color with a slight tinge of gray. Often used to describe hair. |
Fun Chinese idioms related to colors
If you’ve been studying Mandarin for a while now, then you already know how common idioms are in daily life. Now that you’ve learned 187 different colors and shades in Chinese, you’ve earned the special privilege of using some of these super interesting and insightful Chinese idioms involving colors!
| Color | Idiom | Pinyin | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Red | 看破红尘 | kàn pò hóng chén | kann poh horng chern | To give up materialism and adopt a Buddhist minimalist lifestyle. |
| Red | 姹紫嫣红 | chà zǐ yān hóng | chah tzyy ian horng | To describe colorful and beautiful bouquets of flowers. |
| Red | 面红耳赤 | miàn hóng ěr chì | miann horng eel chyh | To describe someone who is incredibly angry. |
| Red | 红红火火 | hóng hóng huǒ huǒ | horng horng huoo huoo | Used to describe a lively and energetic life |
| Red | 红光满面 | hónɡ ɡuānɡ mǎn miàn | hong gooan maan miann | To say that someone looks great |
| Red and purple | 大红大紫 | dà hónɡ dà zǐ | dah hong dah tzyy | To say that a celebrity or famous person is very popular |
| Yellow | 明日黄花 | míng rì huáng huā | ming ryh hwang hua | To describe something old-fashioned or outdated. |
| Yellow | 人老珠黄 | rén lǎo zhū huáng | ren lao ju hwang | A derogative word used to describe women being old |
| Yellow | 青黄不接 | qīng huáng bù jiē | ching hwang buh jie | To describe a temporary deficit in manpower or resources |
| Yellow | 面黄肌瘦 | miàn huáng jī shòu | miann hwang ji show | To look sickly and emaciated |
| Green | 戴绿帽子 | dài lǜ mào zǐ | day liuh maw tzyy | To be cheated on by one’s wife or girlfriend |
| Red and green | 红男绿女 | hóng nán lǜ nǚ | horng nan liuh neu | Boys and girls dressed to the nines |
| Green | 绿林好汉 | lù lín hǎo hàn | luh lin hao hann | A hero similar to Robin Hood who lives in the woods |
| Green | 脸都绿了 | liǎn dōu lǜ le | lean dou liuh lhe | To look sick |
| Green | 花花绿绿 | huā huā lǜ lǜ | hua hua liuh liuh | Despective term for something that is overly ornate or gaudy |
| Blue | 青出于蓝 | qīng chū yú lán | ching chu yu lan | The younger generation surpasses the older generation |
| Blue | 衣衫蓝缕 | yī shān lán lǚ | i shan lan leu | To refer to run-down clothes |
| Red and purple | 万紫千红 | wàn zǐ qiān hóng | wann tzyy chian horng | To describe things are colorful and vibrant |
| Purple | 紫气东来 | zǐ qì dōng lái | tzyy chih dong lai | To suggest that a period of good luck is coming |
| White | 一穷二白 | yì qióng èr bái | yih chyong ell bair | To describe someone as poor and backwards |
| White | 白璧无瑕 | bái bì wú xiá | bair bih wu shya | To describe something that is pure and perfect |
| Black | 月黑风高 | yuè hēi fēng gāo | yueh hei feng gau | To describe a dark and ominous night |
| Black | 起早贪黑 | qǐ zǎo tān hēi | chii tzao tan hei | To work from sunrise until sunset |
| Black | 黑白分明 | hēi bái fēn míng | hei bair fen ming | To have clear distinctions between boundaries |
| Black | 颠倒黑白 | diān dǎo hēi bái | dian dao hei bair | To distort the truth |
| Black | 印堂发黑 | yìn tánɡ fā hēi | yinn tarn fa hei | To describe someone who appears to be in very bad health |
| Gray | 万念俱灰 | wàn niàn jù hūi | wann niann jiuh hu | All hopes end in disappointment |
| Gray | 灰心丧气 | hūi xīn sàng qì | hu shin sanq chih | To feel depressed |
FAQs about Chinese colors
What are the colors of the Chinese New Year?
Red is the most important color for the Chinese New Year. If you’re familiar with the legend of Nian, then you already know that this beastly dragon is deathly afraid of loud noises and the color red. That’s why most Chinese New Year decorations are bright red — so we can scare the monster away. If you’d like to learn more about the legend of Nian, check out our guide to the months, days of the week, and years in Chinese, where go in-depth on this story. Plus, you’ll learn some handy time-related vocab!
What do different colors mean In Chinese culture?
Traditional Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on the meaning of colors. Here are some of the most common colors along with their general meaning:
- Red. Red is the luckiest color, as it symbolizes good fortune, happiness, and joy.
- Yellow. Yellow used to be the color of the emperor and represents power, nobility, and good luck.
- Black. Black is the color associated with water and is also believed to symbolize evil, sadness, destruction, and cruelty.
- White. Perhaps surprisingly for Westerners, white in Chinese symbolizes death. If you ever need to attend a funeral in China, you can wear white. However, the Western meaning of purity is becoming more popular in China, especially among the younger generations.
- Pink. Pink is considered a shade of red in Chinese, so you can expect the same positive vibes from red with this lovely color.
- Green. Green has some of the same meanings of ecology and nature as in the West, with one special caveat: avoid wearing green hats at all costs. That’s because family members of prostitutes used to have to wear green hats, and, today, wearing a green hat means that you’ve been cheated on by your partner.
- Blue. This has an overall positive connotation in Chinese culture as it’s associated with calm, healing, and trust.
- Purple. Traditionally, purple used to mean divinity and immortality. However, today, purple is associated with romance and love, just like pink and red are in the West.
- Gray. Traditionally, gray represents modesty as ordinary citizens would wear gray clothes to show their humility.
What are the lucky and unlucky colors in China?
Colors in China can be very lucky — but they can also be very unlucky.
These are the luckiest colors in China:
- Red
- Yellow
- Green
- Gold
These are the unluckiest colors in China:
- Black
- White
- Green (when associated with infidelity)
Paint a beautiful story
Now, you know almost 200 different shades and hues in Chinese to introduce into the beautiful canvas that is life. Next time you’re tasked with describing the items around you or telling a beautiful story in Chinese, you’ll be able to access this massive list of all kinds of shades and tones in Chinese.
If you enjoyed this guide, make sure to check out our Mandarin Chinese blog. We regularly publish free vocabulary articles like this one, including food in Chinese and measure words. We also have guides on super helpful skills, like how to write a CV in Chinese and how to tell the time in Chinese.
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