A1 noun Neutral #1,500 most common 1 min read

颜色

yánsè /yán sè/

Color is a fundamental visual property of objects, essential for perception and communication.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Color refers to the visual appearance of objects.
  • It's a basic noun used in daily life.
  • Used to describe and differentiate things.

Overview

颜色(yánsè)是汉语中最基础和常用的词汇之一,表示物体所呈现出的视觉属性。它是我们感知世界的重要方式,通过颜色,我们可以区分不同的物体、表达情感、甚至传递信息。在日常生活中,颜色无处不在,从我们穿的衣服、吃的食物,到我们看到的风景、艺术品,都离不开颜色的概念。学习颜色不仅有助于提高汉语的理解能力,还能丰富我们的表达方式。

颜色作为名词,通常可以与其他名词组合使用,构成更具体的表达。例如,“颜色深”(yánsè shēn)表示颜色较浓,“颜色浅”(yánsè qiǎn)表示颜色较淡。“什么颜色”(shénme yánsè)是询问颜色的常用句式。它也可以作为形容词的修饰语,例如“一种漂亮的颜色”(yī zhǒng piàoliang de yánsè)。在描述物体时,颜色通常放在物体名称之前或之后,或者通过“是...颜色”的结构来表达。

颜色这个词在日常生活中应用极其广泛。在购物时,人们会询问“这个包是什么颜色的?”(Zhège bāo shì shénme yánsè de?)。在谈论天气时,可以说“今天的天空是蓝色的”(Jīntiān de tiānkōng shì lán sè de)。在艺术和设计领域,颜色更是核心元素,艺术家们运用不同的颜色来表达情感和创造氛围。甚至在情感表达中,我们也会用颜色来比喻,例如“脸色发青”(liǎnsè fā qīng)表示害怕或生病。

与“颜色”相似但有区别的词语包括:“色彩”(sècǎi)和“色调”(sèdiào)。“色彩”通常指一种更广泛的艺术或学术概念,强调颜色的搭配和组合,有时也带有更强的文学色彩。“色调”则侧重于颜色的深浅、明暗或冷暖的程度,例如“暖色调”(nuǎn sèdiào)和“冷色调”(lěng sèdiào)。而“颜色”是最直接、最通用的表示物体视觉属性的词语。

Examples

1

这朵花是什么颜色的?

everyday

What color is this flower?

2

请选择你喜欢的颜色。

informal

Please choose your favorite color.

3

这个颜料的颜色非常鲜艳。

formal

The color of this pigment is very vibrant.

4

不同颜色的光混合在一起会产生新的颜色。

academic

Mixing lights of different colors produces new colors.

Common Collocations

什么颜色 What color
颜色深 Deep color
颜色浅 Light color
鲜艳的颜色 Bright color

Common Phrases

五颜六色

Colorful (lit. five colors, six colors)

脸色

Complexion, face (as in appearance/mood)

颜色搭配

Color matching/combination

Often Confused With

颜色 vs 色彩

'色彩' (sècǎi) is often used in more artistic or literary contexts, referring to the richness, variety, or emotional impact of colors, rather than just the basic visual property.

颜色 vs 色调

'色调' (sèdiào) refers to the specific shade, tone, or hue of a color, often implying nuances like warmth, coolness, or brightness.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + 是 + Adj + 颜色 (e.g., 天空是蓝色的) 什么 + 颜色 (e.g., 这是什么颜色?) Adj + 的 + 颜色 (e.g., 我喜欢红色的颜色)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '颜色' is a fundamental noun. It is used very broadly in everyday conversation and writing. When describing specific colors, you often use the structure 'Adj + 颜色', e.g., '红颜色' (red color), though often the color word alone suffices (e.g., '红色' - red).


Common Mistakes

Learners might sometimes omit '的' when using color adjectives before nouns, like '红花' instead of '红色的花'. While '红花' is correct, understanding the '颜色' structure helps clarify the concept. Also, avoid using '颜色' to directly describe skin tone; '肤色' is more appropriate.

Tips

💡

Learn basic colors first

Start by memorizing common colors like red, blue, and green. This will help you understand and use the word '颜色' more effectively.

⚠️

Avoid direct skin color description

While '颜色' can be used generally, directly describing someone's skin color with '颜色' can sometimes be sensitive. Use '肤色' (fūsè) or context-specific terms instead.

🌍

Color symbolism in China

Colors carry significant cultural meanings in China. Red symbolizes luck and joy, while white is often associated with mourning. Be mindful of these associations.

Word Origin

The character '颜' (yán) originally referred to the face or countenance, and '色' (sè) means color or appearance. Together, they signify the colors perceived by the eyes, especially related to appearance.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, colors often have symbolic meanings. Red is auspicious, yellow was historically imperial, and white is associated with mourning. Understanding these associations adds depth to the use of '颜色'.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Yan's color' (颜色). Yan is a person, and people have colors associated with them (like clothes, or even mood/complexion).

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

可以,但通常不是直接形容人的肤色,而是用来形容人的“脸色”(liǎnsè)。例如,“他脸色苍白”表示他看起来很虚弱或害怕。

最常用的问法是“这是什么颜色?”(Zhè shì shénme yánsè?)或者“这个(东西)是什么颜色的?”(Zhège (dōngxi) shì shénme yánsè de?)。

“颜色”是最基本、最通用的词,指物体呈现的视觉特征。“色彩”更偏向艺术和文学语境,强调颜色的丰富性、搭配和情感表达。

常见的颜色词包括:红色(hóng sè)、蓝色(lán sè)、绿色(lǜ sè)、黄色(huáng sè)、黑色(hēi sè)、白色(bái sè)、紫色(zǐ sè)、橙色(chéng sè)等。

Test Yourself

fill blank

这件衣服是什么______?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

“颜色”是最常用且最直接的词来询问物体的颜色。

multiple choice

天空______是蓝色的。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: b

“看起来”在这里表示视觉上的呈现,与“蓝色的”搭配自然。

sentence building

词语:我,喜欢,红色,的,颜色

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: c

“我喜欢红色的”是最简洁自然的表达方式,通常不需要重复“颜色”这个词。

Score: /3

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