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A2 noun 10 min read

色素

se su

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 色素 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 色素 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 色素 (sèsù) is related to 'color.' Think of it as the 'stuff' that makes things colorful. You might see it on a candy wrapper or hear someone say a drink has too much 'coloring.' It is a combination of two simple characters you might already know: 色 (color) and 素 (element). At this stage, just remember that it's a noun used for things you eat or for your skin. For example, 'This candy has coloring' or 'My skin has spots.' It's a useful word for basic health and food shopping contexts. Don't worry about the scientific details yet; just associate it with 'added color' in food.

At the A2 level, you should understand that 色素 (sèsù) is the specific word for 'pigment' or 'food coloring.' You can use it to talk about healthy eating by saying things like 'I don't like food with artificial coloring.' You will also start to see it in simple medical contexts, such as 'skin pigment.' It is important to distinguish it from 颜色 (yánsè), which is just the color itself. 色素 is the material. You might use it in sentences like 'Does this juice have coloring?' or 'Natural pigments are better.' It's a common word in the 'Food and Drink' and 'Health' topics of the HSK 2 or A2 curriculum.

At the B1 level, you can use 色素 (sèsù) in more complex discussions about health, science, and the environment. You should be familiar with common collocations like 人工色素 (artificial coloring) and 天然色素 (natural pigment). You can explain why certain foods are unhealthy or discuss the biological functions of plants (like chlorophyll). You might also use it to describe skin conditions more accurately, using terms like 色素沉着 (pigmentation). At this level, you should be able to compare 色素 with related words like 颜料 (paints) and understand that 色素 is more focused on the chemical or biological substance.

At the B2 level, 色素 (sèsù) becomes a tool for professional and academic discussion. You should be able to read news reports about food safety regulations regarding 'synthetic pigments' (合成色素). You can discuss the environmental impact of industrial 'pigment pollution' (色素污染). You should also understand its use in more abstract scientific texts, such as those discussing the evolution of animal camouflage or the chemistry of light absorption. Your ability to use the word in the correct register—scientific, industrial, or medical—is key. You should also be comfortable with the word appearing in compound medical terms in dermatology or botany.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 色素 (sèsù) and its role in various specialized fields. You can participate in high-level debates about the ethics of food additives or the technicalities of pigment extraction in biochemistry. You should be able to recognize the word in literature where it might be used with a slight metaphorical touch, though 色彩 is more common for metaphors. You understand the historical development of the term and how it relates to the character 素's meaning of 'original essence.' You can use the word fluently in written reports, scientific papers, or professional presentations without confusing it with industrial dyes or artistic paints.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 色素 (sèsù) is near-native. You understand the subtle differences in how the word is used in regulatory legal documents versus biological research papers. You can discuss the molecular structure of pigments and their interaction with light at a professional level. You are aware of the cultural connotations of 'pigment' in the context of skin whitening trends in East Asia and can discuss these social issues using the term accurately. You can analyze the etymological roots of the word and its evolution in the Chinese language. For you, 色素 is not just a vocabulary word but a precise technical term that you can deploy with perfect accuracy across any domain.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

色素 in 30 Seconds

Pigment or coloring matter found in nature or used as an additive.
Commonly used in food (coloring) and medicine (skin pigment).
Distinguished from '颜色' (color) as the material versus the visual property.
Essential for discussing health, food safety, and biological science.

The term 色素 (sèsù) is a fundamental noun in Chinese that translates primarily to 'pigment' or 'coloring.' At its most basic level, it refers to any substance that gives color to animal or vegetable tissues, or any additive used to impart color to food, drugs, or cosmetics. In a biological context, it is the reason why our skin tans, why leaves are green, and why flowers possess vibrant hues. In a commercial or culinary context, it often refers to the additives found in candies, sodas, and processed foods. Understanding this word requires looking at its two components: 色 (sè) meaning 'color' or 'appearance,' and 素 (sù) meaning 'element,' 'essence,' or 'plain matter.' Together, they literally describe the 'essence of color.'

Biological Pigment: In medicine and biology, 色素 refers to natural substances like melanin (黑色素) or chlorophyll (叶绿素). Doctors might discuss 'pigmentation' (色素沉着) when talking about skin spots or freckles.
Food Additives: In the food industry, it refers to coloring agents. You will often see labels like 'artificial coloring' (人工色素) or 'natural coloring' (天然色素) on packaging in Chinese supermarkets.
Industrial/Chemical Use: While 'dye' is often 染料 (rǎnliào), the term 色素 is used when discussing the chemical properties of the coloring matter itself in laboratory settings.

这种糖果含有很多人工色素，小孩子不应该多吃。 (This candy contains a lot of artificial coloring; children should not eat too much of it.)

Historically, the concept of 色素 has evolved with science. In ancient China, natural pigments were derived from minerals like cinnabar or plants like indigo. These were seen as 'essences' of the earth. Today, the word carries a slightly more technical or even cautionary tone, especially in the health-conscious modern era where 'artificial coloring' is often viewed negatively. If you go to a dermatologist in China, they might use the term to explain '色素斑' (pigment spots), showing how the word bridges the gap between the kitchen and the clinic. The versatility of the word allows it to appear in a high school biology textbook, a food safety report, or a beauty magazine article about skin whitening.

叶绿素是植物中最重要的色素。 (Chlorophyll is the most important pigment in plants.)

In summary, 色素 is a word that describes the tangible source of color. Whether it is the 'melanin' protecting your skin from the sun or the 'Red No. 40' in a bottle of strawberry soda, both are categorized under this term. For a learner, mastering this word opens up conversations about health, nature, and the composition of the world around us. It is more specific than 'color' but broader than 'dye,' making it a vital addition to an intermediate Chinese vocabulary.

Using 色素 (sèsù) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It rarely functions as a verb. Most commonly, it appears in the structure '[Adjective] + 色素' or '色素 + [Noun].' Because it refers to a substance, it is often the object of verbs like '含有' (contain), '添加' (add), or '沉着' (deposit/accumulate).

Describing Food Content: When looking at food labels, you will encounter phrases like '无人工色素' (No artificial coloring). Here, 色素 is the direct object of the implied existence.
Medical Contexts: In dermatology, '色素沉着' (sèsù chénzhuó) is a common fixed phrase for hyperpigmentation. It describes the process where pigment 'settles' or 'deposits' in the skin.

长期日晒会导致皮肤色素沉着。 (Long-term sun exposure can lead to skin pigmentation.)

One important grammatical nuance is that 色素 is generally an uncountable noun. You don't usually say '一个色素' unless you are referring to a specific chemical type in a list. Instead, you use mass quantifiers or simply state its presence. For example, '很多色素' (a lot of pigment) or '某种色素' (a certain kind of pigment). It is also frequently used in scientific definitions. For instance, '黑色素' (melanin), '叶绿素' (chlorophyll), and '血红素' (hemoglobin) all use '素' as a suffix, but '色素' acts as the umbrella term for all of these.

这种天然色素是从甜菜中提取的。 (This natural pigment is extracted from beets.)

In daily life, the word is most frequently heard in negative contexts regarding food safety. You might hear a parent say, '别喝那瓶饮料，色素太多了' (Don't drink that bottle of soda, there's too much coloring). This usage treats '色素' as a collective noun for artificial additives. Conversely, in the beauty industry, it's often used in the context of removal: '祛除色素' (remove pigment/spots). Whether you are talking about the biology of a chameleon or the ingredients of a birthday cake, the word remains stable in its meaning: the material basis of color.

科学家们正在研究这种新型的有机色素。 (Scientists are researching this new type of organic pigment.)

You are likely to encounter 色素 (sèsù) in several specific environments in a Chinese-speaking society. The most common is the supermarket. As Chinese consumers have become more health-conscious, labels like '不含人工色素' (No artificial colors) have become a major selling point for juices, snacks, and even dairy products. If you are reading the back of a package, look for the '食品添加剂' (food additives) section; you will almost certainly see '色素' listed there followed by specific chemical names or numbers.

Beauty and Skincare: In a '美容院' (beauty salon) or '皮肤科' (dermatology clinic), the word is ubiquitous. Treatments for '色素沉着' (pigmentation) are extremely popular. You might hear a consultant say, '这款产品可以淡化色素' (This product can lighten pigment).
News and Media: Health segments on TV or articles on WeChat often discuss the dangers of excessive '合成色素' (synthetic pigments) in children's diets. This is a recurring topic in Chinese public discourse regarding food safety regulations.

医生，我脸上的色素斑能去掉吗？ (Doctor, can the pigment spots on my face be removed?)

Another place you'll hear it is in educational settings. In a middle school biology class, students learn about '光合作用' (photosynthesis) and the role of '叶绿素' (chlorophyll) as a primary '色素' in plants. The word here is strictly scientific and neutral. In the world of art and design, while artists use '颜料' (paints) or '墨水' (ink), a technician might discuss the '色素稳定性' (pigment stability) of a certain brand of ink to ensure it doesn't fade over time. This highlights the word's transition from a biological reality to a chemical property.

Finally, you might hear it in environmental reports. When a river is polluted by a factory, the news might report on '色素污染' (pigment pollution), referring to industrial dyes that have leaked into the water. This range of usage—from the candy in a child's hand to the ecological health of a river—makes '色素' a word that is deeply embedded in the practical and scientific vocabulary of modern China.

为了健康，我们应该选择不含人工色素的食品。 (For health, we should choose foods that do not contain artificial coloring.)

The most common mistake learners make with 色素 (sèsù) is confusing it with 颜色 (yánsè). While both relate to color, they are not interchangeable. 颜色 is the visual property (red, blue, green), whereas 色素 is the physical substance that creates that property. You can see 颜色, but you can touch or measure 色素. For example, you wouldn't say '天空的色素很漂亮' (The sky's pigment is beautiful); you would say '天空的颜色很漂亮' (The sky's color is beautiful).

Confusing with 染料 (rǎnliào): Another mistake is using 色素 when you mean 'dye' for clothes. '染料' is the specific word for textile dyes. While a dye is a type of pigment, in Chinese, the usage is strictly divided by industry.
Incorrect Verb Pairing: Learners often try to say '画色素' (draw pigment). This is incorrect. Artists '画画' (paint/draw) using '颜料' (paints). 色素 is more scientific.

错误：这件衣服的色素褪色了。 (Wrong: The pigment of these clothes faded.)
正确：这件衣服的颜色褪色了。 (Correct: The color of these clothes faded.)

A subtle mistake involves the term '黑色素' (melanin). Beginners might just say '黑色的色素' (black pigment). While grammatically possible, '黑色素' is the fixed biological term. Similarly, when talking about food, ensure you specify '人工' (artificial) or '天然' (natural). Just saying '这个有色素' (This has pigment) sounds a bit vague in Chinese, as almost everything has some form of pigment. It's better to say '这个添加了色素' (This has added coloring).

Lastly, remember that 色素 is rarely used in the plural in Chinese because Chinese nouns don't typically change form. If you want to emphasize different types of pigments, use '各种色素' (various pigments). Avoid trying to translate 'pigments' with a plural suffix like '们,' which is only for people. By keeping these distinctions in mind—substance vs. visual property, scientific vs. artistic, and literal vs. metaphorical—you will avoid the most frequent pitfalls associated with this word.

Understanding 色素 (sèsù) involves distinguishing it from its close relatives in the world of 'color' words. The Chinese language has a rich variety of terms for color-related concepts, each with a specific domain of use.

颜料 (yánliào) vs. 色素 (sèsù): '颜料' refers to paints or pigments used specifically in art and construction (like oil paint or house paint). '色素' is more likely to be used for biological or food-related substances. You use '颜料' to paint a wall, but '色素' is what makes a strawberry red.
染料 (rǎnliào) vs. 色素 (sèsù): '染料' specifically means 'dye,' usually for textiles, hair, or leather. While a dye is a substance that colors something, '色素' is the broader chemical term. You buy '染料' to dye your hair, but the '色素' in the hair is what the dye is changing.
色彩 (sècǎi) vs. 色素 (sèsù): '色彩' is often used for 'hues' or 'tones' in an artistic or metaphorical sense. It is much more abstract. You can talk about the '色彩' of a film or a person's life, but '色素' is strictly physical.

画家用颜料作画，而植物通过色素吸收阳光。 (Artists use paints to paint, while plants absorb sunlight through pigments.)

If you are looking for a more formal or academic word for 'coloring matter,' you might encounter 色料 (sèliào), though this is much rarer in daily life. In the context of light and physics, you might hear 波长 (bōcháng - wavelength), which is the scientific cause of what we perceive as 色素. For learners, the most important distinction to maintain is between the 'stuff' (色素) and the 'look' (颜色). If you are talking about the ingredients of a cake, use '色素.' If you are talking about how pretty the cake looks, use '颜色.'

By learning these alternatives, you can specify exactly what you mean. In a professional setting, such as a lab or a design studio, using the correct term—whether it's the biological '色素' or the industrial '染料'—will significantly increase your perceived fluency and accuracy in Chinese.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '素' (sù) is also the word for 'vegetarian' (素食) in Chinese, reflecting its meaning of 'plain' or 'simple.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpɪɡ.mənt/

US /ˈpɪɡ.mənt/

Sè (4th tone) is falling; Sù (4th tone) is also falling. Both syllables are sharp and descending.

Rhymes With

速度 (sùdù) 素食 (sùshí) 诉说 (sùshuō) 严肃 (yánsù) 元素 (yuánsù) 宿舍 (sùshè) 塑料 (sùliào) 塑造 (sùzào)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'sè' as 'shè' (like 'teacher').
Using the 1st tone (sē) instead of the 4th tone.
Confusing the 'u' sound in 'sù' with the 'ü' sound.
Mumbling the tones, which can make it sound like 'suǒ' (lock).
Stress placement—both syllables should have equal weight in Mandarin.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Recognizing the characters is easy as they are common.

Writing 3/5

Writing '素' requires some practice with the bottom part.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with 4th tones.

Listening 2/5

Easily distinguishable in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

颜色食品皮肤植物健康

Learn Next

添加剂防腐剂成分代谢提取

Advanced

叶绿体黑色素细胞化学合成光合作用

Grammar to Know

Noun compounding

人工 (Artificial) + 色素 (Pigment) = 人工色素

Negation with '不含'

不含色素 (Does not contain pigment)

Resultative verbs

导致色素沉着 (Lead to pigmentation)

Measure words

这种色素 (This kind of pigment)

Descriptive '的'

红色的色素 (Red pigment)

Examples by Level

这个糖果有色素吗？

Does this candy have coloring?

Simple question using '有' (have).

我不喜欢人工色素。

I don't like artificial coloring.

Subject + 不喜欢 + Noun.

这种果汁没有色素。

This juice has no coloring.

Using '没有' for negation.

色素让食物很漂亮。

Pigment makes food look pretty.

Noun + 让 + Noun + Adjective.

这是天然色素。

This is natural pigment.

Simple 'A is B' structure.

这种颜色是色素吗？

Is this color (from) pigment?

Asking about the source of color.

小孩子少吃色素。

Children should eat less coloring.

Adverb '少' (less) before the verb.

这个苹果的色素很多。

This apple has a lot of pigment.

Possessive '的' + Noun.

很多饮料都添加了人工色素。

Many drinks have artificial coloring added.

Using '添加了' (added).

这种色素对身体不好。

This coloring is not good for the body.

对...不好 (not good for...).

我们可以用蔬菜做天然色素。

We can use vegetables to make natural pigment.

用...做... (use... to make...).

医生说我脸上有色素斑。

The doctor said I have pigment spots on my face.

Compound noun '色素斑'.

这种色素是从植物里提取的。

This pigment is extracted from plants.

是...的 (emphasizing the source).

请看食品包装上的色素列表。

Please look at the pigment list on the food packaging.

Imperative with '请'.

天然色素通常比人工的贵。

Natural pigments are usually more expensive than artificial ones.

Comparison with '比'.

这种药水含有红色素。

This medicine contains red pigment.

Verb '含有' (contain).

长期在阳光下暴晒会导致色素沉着。

Long-term exposure to the sun will lead to pigmentation.

Resultative '导致' (lead to).

为了健康，他尽量避免含有色素的食品。

For health, he tries his best to avoid foods containing coloring.

Adverb '尽量' (to the best of one's ability).

叶绿素是植物进行光合作用的重要色素。

Chlorophyll is an important pigment for plant photosynthesis.

Technical terminology.

这种新型色素在化妆品中非常受欢迎。

This new type of pigment is very popular in cosmetics.

Passive popularity '受欢迎'.

我们需要分析这些色素的化学成分。

We need to analyze the chemical components of these pigments.

Verb '分析' (analyze).

这种色素在高温下会分解吗？

Will this pigment decompose at high temperatures?

Conditional '在...下'.

很多家长担心零食里的合成色素。

Many parents worry about the synthetic pigments in snacks.

Verb '担心' (worry).

皮肤的颜色是由黑色素决定的。

The color of the skin is determined by melanin.

Passive '由...决定'.

政府对食品中添加的色素有严格的规定。

The government has strict regulations on pigments added to food.

对...有规定 (has regulations on...).

这种生物色素能够随着环境的变化而改变颜色。

This biological pigment can change color as the environment changes.

随着...而... (along with...).

工业废水的色素污染已经威胁到了河流的生态。

The pigment pollution from industrial wastewater has threatened the river's ecology.

Present perfect '已经...了'.

科学家发现了一种可以吸收更多光能的新型色素。

Scientists have discovered a new type of pigment that can absorb more light energy.

Complex noun phrase as object.

通过激光治疗可以有效地祛除皮肤色素。

Pigment in the skin can be effectively removed through laser treatment.

Preposition '通过' (through).

这种天然色素的提取过程非常复杂且成本高昂。

The extraction process of this natural pigment is very complex and costly.

Adjective phrase with '且' (and).

这种色素的稳定性在酸性环境下会变差。

The stability of this pigment deteriorates in an acidic environment.

Abstract noun '稳定性' (stability).

由于缺乏某种色素，这种花呈现出罕见的白色。

Due to the lack of a certain pigment, this flower appears a rare white.

Causal '由于' (due to).

这种色素在分子层面上具有独特的光学特性。

This pigment possesses unique optical properties at the molecular level.

Formal '具有' (possess).

研究人员正在探讨色素与视网膜健康之间的联系。

Researchers are exploring the link between pigments and retinal health.

Formal '探讨' (explore/discuss).

尽管该色素是合法的，但其安全性仍备受争议。

Although the pigment is legal, its safety remains highly controversial.

Concessive '尽管...但...'.

古代工匠利用矿物色素创造了这些不朽的壁画。

Ancient craftsmen utilized mineral pigments to create these immortal murals.

Formal '利用' (utilize).

色素的分布不均会导致图像出现色差。

Uneven distribution of pigment will lead to chromatic aberration in the image.

Technical '分布不均' (uneven distribution).

该报告详细说明了色素在人体代谢过程中的变化。

The report detailed the changes of pigments during the human metabolic process.

Formal '详细说明' (detail/illustrate).

合成色素的广泛应用彻底改变了食品工业的格局。

The widespread application of synthetic pigments has completely changed the landscape of the food industry.

Abstract '格局' (pattern/landscape).

这种真菌产生的色素具有显著的抗菌作用。

The pigment produced by this fungus has significant antibacterial effects.

Scientific '显著' (significant).

色素的生物合成路径在高等植物中表现出极高的保守性。

The biosynthetic pathways of pigments exhibit high conservation in higher plants.

Highly academic '保守性' (conservation).

监管机构必须在色素的经济效益与公众健康之间寻求平衡。

Regulatory agencies must seek a balance between the economic benefits of pigments and public health.

Formal '寻求平衡' (seek balance).

该论文深入剖析了色素颗粒在纳米尺度上的光散射机制。

The paper provides an in-depth analysis of the light scattering mechanism of pigment particles at the nanoscale.

Academic '深入剖析' (in-depth analysis).

色素沉着的病理机制尚未被完全阐明，仍需进一步研究。

The pathological mechanism of pigmentation has not yet been fully elucidated and requires further study.

Passive/Formal '阐明' (elucidate).

由于色素的化学不稳定性，这幅名画的修复工作面临巨大挑战。

Due to the chemical instability of the pigments, the restoration of this famous painting faces huge challenges.

Abstract '不稳定性' as a cause.

色素的演化历程揭示了生物为了适应环境而进行的复杂调节。

The evolutionary history of pigments reveals the complex regulations organisms undergo to adapt to the environment.

Formal '揭示' (reveal).

通过对古代色素的同位素分析，考古学家得以推断贸易路线。

Through isotope analysis of ancient pigments, archaeologists were able to infer trade routes.

Formal '得以' (be able to).

这种色素在光催化反应中展现出极佳的量子效率。

This pigment exhibits excellent quantum efficiency in photocatalytic reactions.

Technical '量子效率' (quantum efficiency).

Common Collocations

人工色素

天然色素

色素沉着

合成色素

黑色素

叶绿素

色素斑

色素沉淀

食用色素

色素分解

Common Phrases

色素沉着

— Hyperpigmentation. The darkening of an area of skin or objects due to pigment accumulation.

防晒可以减少色素沉着。

人工色素

— Artificial coloring. Synthetic additives used to color food or products.

这瓶汽水里全是人工色素。

天然色素

— Natural pigment. Coloring matter derived from plants, animals, or minerals.

天然色素更健康。

黑色素

— Melanin. The dark pigment in skin and hair.

黑色素保护皮肤免受紫外线伤害。

食用色素

— Food coloring. Pigments specifically approved for consumption.

做蛋糕时需要加点食用色素。

色素斑

— Pigment spots. Dark spots on the skin caused by uneven pigment distribution.

她脸上有几处色素斑。

无色素

— Pigment-free. Often used as a marketing term for 'no added colors.'

这款护肤品无色素、无香料。

色素失调

— Pigment imbalance. A medical condition where skin color is uneven.

色素失调会导致皮肤白斑。

光合色素

— Photosynthetic pigment. Pigments like chlorophyll used by plants to capture light.

光合色素吸收太阳能。

合成色素

— Synthetic pigment. Chemically manufactured coloring agents.

工业中广泛使用合成色素。

Often Confused With

色素 vs 颜色

Visual color vs. physical pigment.

色素 vs 颜料

Art paint vs. biological/food pigment.

色素 vs 染料

Textile dye vs. general coloring matter.

Idioms & Expressions

"五颜六色"

— Colorful; all the colors of the rainbow. While not containing '色素,' it is the most common idiom for things rich in pigment.

花园里开满了五颜六色的花。

Informal

"绘声绘色"

— Vividly; describing something so well it feels real (literally 'painting sound and color').

他绘声绘色地讲了那个故事。

Literary

"形形色色"

— Of all kinds and descriptions; various.

社会上有形形色色的人。

Neutral

"色香味俱全"

— Perfect in color, aroma, and taste. Used to describe excellent food.

这道菜真是色香味俱全。

Neutral

"平淡无奇"

— Plain and unremarkable. The opposite of something with vibrant '色素'.

他的生活平淡无奇。

Neutral

"大红大紫"

— Very popular/famous (literally 'big red and big purple').

他在演艺圈大红大紫。

Informal

"色彩斑斓"

— Multi-colored and gorgeous.

海底世界色彩斑斓。

Literary

"不露声色"

— To show no emotion; to keep a straight face.

他坐在那里，不露声色。

Neutral

"面色苍白"

— Pale-faced (lack of skin pigment/blood flow).

他生病了，面色苍白。

Neutral

"五彩缤纷"

— Blazing with color; colorful.

天上的烟花五彩缤纷。

Literary

Easily Confused

色素 vs 颜色

Both relate to color.

颜色 is the visual property; 色素 is the physical substance.

天空的颜色很蓝，但那不是因为色素。

色素 vs 颜料

Both can mean 'pigment' in English.

颜料 is for art/walls; 色素 is for food/biology.

画家用颜料，厨师用色素。

色素 vs 染料

Both change the color of things.

染料 is specifically for industrial dying (clothes/hair).

染发需要染料。

色素 vs 色彩

Both relate to color.

色彩 is abstract/literary; 色素 is concrete/scientific.

生活充满了色彩。

色素 vs 素色

Contains the character '素'.

素色 means 'plain color' or 'solid color' (no patterns).

她喜欢穿素色的衣服。

Sentence Patterns

这个 [Noun] 有色素。

这个糖果有色素。

不含 [Adjective] 色素。

不含人工色素。

[Cause] 导致 [Noun] 色素沉着。

日晒导致皮肤色素沉着。

[Noun] 是从 [Source] 中提取的色素。

这种色素是从甜菜中提取的。

[Noun] 具有 [Adjective] 的色素特性。

该物质具有独特的光学色素特性。

[Abstract Noun] 影响了色素的 [Process]。

基因突变影响了色素的生物合成。

为了 [Goal]，我们应该减少 [Noun]。

为了健康，我们应该减少摄入色素。

[Noun] 里的色素太多了。

汽水里的色素太多了。

Word Family

Nouns

黑色素 (Melanin)

叶绿素 (Chlorophyll)

血红素 (Hemoglobin)

色素斑 (Pigment spot)

Verbs

着色 (To color)

褪色 (To fade)

染色 (To dye)

显色 (To develop color)

Adjectives

有色的 (Colored)

无色的 (Colorless)

素净的 (Plain/Simple)

颜色

染料

颜料

添加剂

成分

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in food and medical domains.

Common Mistakes

Using '色素' to mean the color of the sky. → 天空的颜色
The sky has no physical pigment; it's a light phenomenon.
Saying '画色素' for painting a picture. → 用颜料画画
'色素' is scientific; '颜料' is for art.
Using '色素' for hair dye. → 染发剂
'染发剂' or '染料' is specific to dying hair.
Confusing '色素' with '素食'. → N/A
'素食' means vegetarian food. Don't confuse the two just because they share '素'.
Treating '色素' as a countable noun (e.g., '三个色素'). → 三种色素
Use '种' (kind/type) instead of a general measure word.

Tips

Check the Label

Look for '不含人工色素' if you want to avoid synthetic additives.

Precision Matters

Use '色素' in a lab or doctor's office, but '颜色' in a gallery.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the '素' character; it's easy to get the bottom part wrong.

Suffixes

Many biological pigments end in '素', like '黑色素' or '血红素'.

Skincare Terms

'祛色素' is a common term in whitening product ads.

Word Pairs

Learn '人工' (artificial) and '天然' (natural) along with '色素'.

Traditional Dyes

Ancient Chinese used '矿物色素' (mineral pigments) for silk.

Verb Pairing

Common verbs: 含有 (contain), 添加 (add), 提取 (extract).

Tone Check

Double 4th tones (SèSù) sound very firm and decisive.

Context Clues

If you see '食品' or '皮肤', '色素' is likely the word being used.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sè' as the color of a 'SET' of crayons, and 'Sù' as the 'SUBSTANCE' inside them. Sèsù is the substance of the color set.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright red candy being dropped into a glass of water and the red 'stuff' leaking out. That 'stuff' is the 色素.

Word Web

颜色添加剂皮肤植物化学健康食品天然

Challenge

Go to a Chinese supermarket and try to find the word '色素' on five different food labels.

Word Origin

The term is composed of '色' (sè) and '素' (sù). '色' originally meant a person's facial expression or countenance, later expanding to 'color.' '素' originally meant white, unrefined silk, and by extension, 'element' or 'basic matter.'

Original meaning: The basic element or material of color.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing skin pigment in a social context; focus on the medical/biological aspect.

In English-speaking countries, 'pigment' is often scientific, while 'coloring' is culinary. In Chinese, '色素' covers both.

Food Safety Law of the PRC (mentioning additives) Beauty advertisements for whitening creams Biology textbooks

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket Shopping

不含人工色素
天然色素
食品添加剂
查看成分表

Dermatology Clinic

色素沉着
祛除色素
黑色素
色素斑

Biology Class

叶绿素
光合色素
色素分子
生物色素

Cooking

食用色素
添加色素
调色
天然提取

Environmental News

色素污染
工业废水
水质监测
化学残留

Conversation Starters

"你觉得食品里的人工色素有害吗？"

"你知道哪些蔬菜可以用来做天然色素吗？"

"这种果汁标签上写着‘无色素’，是真的吗？"

"你的皮肤是怎么保持没有色素斑的？"

"植物为什么会有这么多不同的色素？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对现代食品中添加色素的看法。

描述一次你发现某种食物色素过多的经历。

如果你可以创造一种新型色素，它会有什么特殊功能？

讨论一下为什么‘天然色素’在市场上更受欢迎。

写一段关于植物叶子在秋天改变色素的科学解释。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, natural pigments like those from beets or turmeric are safe. Only synthetic ones are often criticized.

'着色剂' is a more formal, industrial term for food coloring additives.

Use the fixed phrase '色素沉着' (sèsù chénzhuó).

It's better to use '颜料' for paints used in art.

Yes, '叶绿素' (chlorophyll) is a biological pigment.

No, like most Chinese nouns, it remains the same.

Use '人工色素' (réngōng sèsù).

Yes, it typically appears around HSK 4 or 5 levels in science or health passages.

No, it is strictly a noun.

It means the product has no added coloring agents.