13+ Basic Colors In Cantonese For Beginners

They say that colors are the smile of nature. Learning about naming colors in Cantonese (顏色 / ngaan4 sik1) will open doors for a deeper understanding of their culture. Hong Kong is officially known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Because of this, there are lots of Chinese culture, tradition, and values between China and Hong Kong. But, always remember, not all Hong Kongers identify themselves as part of China.

The Chinese culture has certain values attached to colors. This results from their rich history and culture that is passed on from one century to another. We won’t go deep about it because, as I said above, not all Hong Kongers believe they are Chinese. But, to give you an idea, check below what each color represents in Chinese culture.

1. Blue / Azure / Green

Blue is associated with health, prosperity, and harmony.

2. Red / Vermilion

Red corresponds with fire and symbolizes good fortune and joy.

3. White

White symbolizes brightness, purity, and fulfillment. It also corresponds to metal and represents gold.

4. Black

Black corresponds to water and is considered a neutral color.

5. Yellow

Yellow corresponds with Earth and is considered the most beautiful and prestigious color.

Vocabularies Related To Color

Colors in Cantonese
Colors in Cantonese

When we are young (if we can still recall), we are usually given puzzles where we have to match colors and shapes. Colors are one of the basic vocabulary we have learned during our formation years. You can see the smile on our parents’ faces when we are able to identify colors. Before we start naming colors in Cantonese, let us first learn some vocabulary related to color in the Cantonese language.

EnglishCantonesePinyin
color 顏色ngaan4 sik1
colored彩色coi2 sik1
plain colors淨色zing6 sik1  plain
dark (color)sam1
bright (color)光亮gwong1 loeng6
colorful鮮豔sin1 jim6
watercolor水彩seoi2 coi2
colorful lantern花燈faa1 dang1
 color ink彩色墨coi2 sik1 mak6
Flying Colors Parade飄色巡遊piu1 sik1 ceon4 jau4 
to shine brightly with color and light 流光溢彩lau4 gwong1 jat6 coi2
measure word for colorszek3
to shine brightly with color and light流光溢彩lau4 gwong1 jat6 coi2

 

Naming Colors In Cantonese

Naming Colors

Can you imagine the world without any color that is used to describe almost everything? If you plan to go to Hong Kong or any Cantonese-speaking places, you must learn how to name colors in Cantonese. Remember, Mandarin and Cantonese are different from each other. Cantonese is known as the Traditional Chinese language, while Mandarin is known as the Simplified one. They are both varieties of the Chinese language, but they have huge differences. So, do not be confused when you encounter each term.

Widen your vocabulary by learning these colors/colors in the Cantonese language.

English Cantonese Pinyin
black 黑色 haak1 sik1
white 白色 baak6 sik1
gray 灰色 fui1 sik1
red 紅色 hung4 sik1
blue 藍色 laam4 sik1
yellow 黄色 wong4 sik1
green 綠色 luk6 sik1
dark green 深綠色 am1 luk6 sik1.
orange 橙色 caang2 sik1
purple 紫色 zi2 sik1
brown 啡色 fe1 sik1
pink 粉紅色 fan2 hung4 sik1
silver 銀色 ngan4 sik1
indigo 藍靛 laam4 din6
beige 米色 mai5 sik1
gold 金色 gam1 sik1
peach 桃色 tou4 sik1

Words And Phrases That Uses Colors / Colours

Learning new terms will be very useful if you know how to use them. One of the main reasons we learn languages is that we want to connect with other people. Here are some phrases and expressions where you can use what you have learned in naming the colors in Cantonese.

English Cantonese Pinyin
purple dress 紫色的連身裙 zi2 sik1 dik1 lin4 san1 kwan4
long stem red rose 長莖紅玫瑰 coeng4 ging3 hung4 mui4 gwai3
green grass 綠草 luk6 cou2
black bat 黑蝙蝠 hak1 pin1 fuk1
pink eraser 粉紅色擦膠 fan2 hung4 sik1 caat3 gaau1
The carpenter is wearing a yellow helmet. 木匠正帶著黄色安全帽。 muk6 zoeng6 zing3 daai3 zoek6 wong4 sik1 on1 cyun4 mou2.
The gray wolf is foraging for food in the meadow. 大灰狼在草地裡找食物。 daai6 fui1 long4 zoi6 cou2 dei6 leoi5 zaau2 sik6 mat6.
The white lotus is floating on the surface of the pond. 白色的蓮花浮在湖面上。 baak6 sik1 dik1 lin4 faa1 fau4 zoi6 wu4 min2 soeng6.
Light colors really suit you well. 淺色色調很適合你。 cin2 sik1 sik1 diu6 han2 sik1 hap6 nei5.
His favorite color is orange. 他最喜歡的顏色是橙色。 taa1 zeoi3 hei2 fun1 dik1 ngaan4 sik1 si6 caang2 sik1
Beige is a pale cream color with a yellowish tint. 米色是一種帶黃調的淺白色。 mai5 sik1 si6 jat1 zung2 daai3 wong4 diu6 dik1 cin2 baak6 sik1.
I want a gold-colored purse. 我想要一個金色銀包。 ngo5 soeng2 jiu3 jat1 go3 gam1 sik1 ngan4 baau1.
The silver-colored pen looks expensive. 那支銀色筆看來很貴。 naa5 zi1 ngan4 sik1 bat1 hon3 loi4 han2 gwai3.
The car is a peach color. 車子是桃色。 ce1 zi2 si6 tou4 sik1.
Indigo gets its name from the plant named indigo. 藍靛的名字來自同名植物。 laam4 din6 dik1 ming4 zi6 loi4 zi6 tung4 meng2 zik6 mat6.
The car is actually dark green. 車子其實是深綠色。 ce1 zi2 kei4 sat6 si6 sam1 luk6 sik1.
Tomorrow will be bright and sunny again. 明天會再次陽光燦爛。 ming4 tin1 wui5 zoi3 ci3 joeng4 gwong1 caan3 laan6.

Where Can I Use My Knowledge In Naming Colors In Cantonese?

If you know naming colors in Cantonese, you can use them in many situations. Here are some examples of where you can use them.

1. It Can Be Used To Describe The Color Or Shade Of What You Are Buying.

When you go shopping, there are varieties of color choices that you might see for some products. Of course, you want to buy the color you want that suits your taste. Otherwise, you won’t enjoy that, and you will not feel satisfied. For example, girls love black (黑色 wong4 sik1) bag because it does not easily get dirty and can easily match any outfit.

2. It Can Be Used If You Are Asked, “What Is Your Favorite Color?”.

Small talks can happen anywhere and anytime. It usually starts with basic greetings, but it can widen up to other topics. If someone asked you, 你最喜歡什麼顏 nei5 zeoi3 hei2 fun1 sam6 mo1 ngaan4 sik1? Which means “What’s your favorite color?” in English, you can respond using what you have learned above.

3. It Can Be Used To Enhance Meaning.

The eyes are attracted to high-contrast colors. In written form, people can derive meaning from the color that stands out. Using colors for emphasis will imply that the object or the element has a great value. For example, yellow is used to display the essential message.

Having A Hard Time Learning Languages? Don’t Feel Blue!

Colors In Cantonese

Trying to learn new languages? Having conflicts with schedules and lack of resources? These are the common problems of people who want to learn languages. If you are here, ut is a sign that you want to Learn Cantonese and any other languages more. So, to lighten up your day, Ling App will be the answer to all your troubles.

This blog post is just one of many helpful blog posts in the Ling App. If you have enjoyed naming Cantonese colors, you will also enjoy reading blog posts, learning the essential words and phrases in Cantonese, introducing yourself in Cantonese, and even Cantonese food.

You can also learn Cantonese in a modern way. You don’t have to use books and attend scheduled classes because Ling App will give you engaging lessons online for free. It is divided into a wide range of categories that will indeed correspond to your level of learning. It would not be a problem what resources and what time you want to learn. You can just simply grab your phone, search Ling App online, and you’re good to go! So, learn Cantonese now!

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