Colors in Chinese
The Chinese word for "colors" is 颜色 (yán sè). Below are 21 Chinese words for colors, each with pinyin, English and its level in the new HSK 3.0 word list. They cover HSK 1 to HSK 6, in the order a learner meets them.
To name a colour as a thing, add 色 (sè, colour): 蓝 is blue and 蓝色 is the colour blue. The HSK list gives some colours with 色 and some without, which is why both forms appear here.
The 11 words to learn first
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 颜色 | yán sè | color | 2 |
| 红色 | hóng sè | red | 2 |
| 黄色 | huáng sè | yellow | 3 |
| 蓝 | lán | blue | 3 |
| 绿色 | lǜ sè | green | 2 |
| 白色 | bái sè | white | 2 |
| 黑色 | hēi sè | black | 2 |
| 灰色 | huī sè | gray | 5 |
| 紫 | zǐ | purple | 5 |
| 棕色 | zōng sè | brown | 6 |
| 彩色 | cǎi sè | multicoloured; in colour | 5 |
Colors and Tea HSK 2 lesson
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 绿茶 | lǜ chá | green tea | 2 |
| 红茶 | hóng chá | black tea (literally "red tea") | 2 |
| 奶茶 | nǎi chá | milk tea | 2 |
Colors and Appearance HSK 2 lesson
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | HSK 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 白 | bái | white; clear; blank | 5 |
| 黑 | hēi | black; dark | 5 |
| 红 | hóng | red; popular | 5 |
| 新 | xīn | new; newly | 1 |
| 眼睛 | yǎn jing | eye | 2 |
| 高 | gāo | high; tall; loud | 2 |
| 身体 | shēn tǐ | the body | 2 |
Every word links to its dictionary entry, with audio, example sentences and stroke order. The words are grouped by the GraphChinese lesson that teaches them, so a few in each group belong to the lesson and sit a little outside the topic.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say "colors" in Chinese?
颜色 (yán sè), meaning "color". The most common words in this topic are 颜色 (yán sè, color), 红色 (hóng sè, red), 黄色 (huáng sè, yellow), 蓝 (lán, blue).
How many Chinese words for colors do I need?
This page lists 21, from HSK 1 to HSK 6. The 11 at the top are enough to start; the rest follow level by level.
What do the HSK levels on this page mean?
Each word shows where the new HSK 3.0 word list places it, from level 1 to the 7-9 band. A dash means the word is taught in the course and is not on the HSK 3.0 list. HSK 3.0, complete.
How do I pronounce these words?
The pinyin beside each word gives the sound and the tone. Each word links to its dictionary entry, where you can hear it. If the tone marks are new to you, start with the four tones, explained.
GraphChinese teaches these words in dependency order, with audio, and only moves on when each one is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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