🎨 Color Expression in Korean – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)
🎨 Korean Colors for Beginners — Words, Patterns & Culture
Colors are everywhere! Whether you’re shopping, describing an outfit, or chatting about favorites, color words make your Korean instantly more vivid. 🌟
📑 Table of Contents
📘 Basic Korean Color Words
| Korean | RR (romanization) | English |
|---|---|---|
| 빨간색 / 빨강 | ppalgan-saek / ppalgang | red |
| 파란색 / 파랑 | paran-saek / parang | blue |
| 노란색 / 노랑 | noran-saek / norang | yellow |
| 초록색 / 초록 | chorok-saek / chorok | green |
| 하얀색 / 흰색 | hayan-saek / huin-saek | white |
| 검은색 / 까만색 | geomeun-saek / kkaman-saek | black |
| 주황색 | juhwang-saek | orange |
| 보라색 | bora-saek | purple |
| 분홍색 | bunhong-saek | pink |
| 갈색 | galssaek | brown |
| 회색 | hoesaek | gray |
| 남색 | namsaek | navy |
| 금색 / 은색 | geumsaek / eunsaek | gold / silver |
Tip: Everyday speech often uses both forms (e.g., 빨간색 and 빨강). Both are okay.
🧩 Two Forms: 색 (noun) vs Adjective (-ㄴ/-은)
- Noun form: 빨간색, 파란색, 검은색… → “(It is) + color.”
예) 이 가방은 빨간색이에요. — This bag is red. - Adjective form: 빨갛다 → 빨간, 하얗다 → 하얀, 검다 → 검은 → “(color) + Noun.”
예) 빨간 가방 (a red bag), 하얀 신발 (white shoes).
Natural add-ons: 진한/연한 (deep/light), 밝은/어두운 (bright/dark).
예) 연한 분홍색 셔츠 / 어두운 회색 코트.
💬 Example Sentences
- 이 가방은 빨간색이에요.
I gabang-eun ppalgan-saek-ieyo. — This bag is red. - 하얀 신발을 샀어요.
Hayan sinbal-eul sasseoyo. — I bought white shoes. - 무슨 색을 좋아해요?
Museun saeg-eul joahaeyo? — What color do you like? - 오늘은 회색 코트를 입었어요.
Oneureun hoesaek koteureul ibeosseoyo. — I’m wearing a gray coat today. - 이 모자는 남색이에요.
I mojaneun namsaeg-ieyo. — This hat is navy.
👗 Talking About Colors in Daily Life
Shopping and outfit talk becomes easy with a few handy lines:
- 검은색 있어요?
Geomeun-saek isseoyo? — Do you have it in black? - 이 색 말고 파란색으로 보여 주세요.
I saek malgo paran-saeg-euro boyeo juseyo. — Not this color, please show me in blue. - 이 색이 저한테 잘 어울려요.
I saegi jeohante jal eoullyeoyo. — This color suits me well. - 좀 더 밝은 색 있어요?
Jom deo balgeun saek isseoyo? — Do you have a brighter color?
🛍️ Practice Dialogue (Shopping)
A: 이 셔츠, 남색 있어요?
I syeocheu, namsaek isseoyo?
Do you have this shirt in navy?
B: 네, 남색하고 회색 있어요.
Ne, namsaek-hago hoesaek isseoyo.
Yes, we have navy and gray.
A: 그럼 회색으로 보여 주세요.
Geureom hoesaeg-euro boyeo juseyo.
Then please show me the gray one.
B: 이 색이 더 잘 어울리시네요.
I saegi deo jal eoulrishineyo.
This color suits you better.
💡 Did You Know? (Culture)
Korean tradition recognizes the “Obangsaek (오방색)”—five cardinal colors linked to directions and virtues:
- 청(푸른) blue/green, 적 red, 황 yellow, 백 white, 흑 black.
That’s one reason hanbok designs often feature strong, symbolic color combinations. 👘
🚀 Take Action
- Say your top 3 colors in Korean out loud.
- Describe today’s outfit with 색 + noun and adjective forms (e.g., 빨간 모자 / 빨간색 모자).
- Ask a friend: 무슨 색 좋아해요?
🔄 Continue Your Beginner Journey
- 🕒 Telling Time and Dates in Korean
- 🌍 Talking About Nationalities in Korean
- 🔢 Korean Numbers: Sino vs Native
- 🚫 Making Negative Sentences
Keep going step by step—each beginner lesson builds on the last one.
👤 About the Author
I teach beginners to use Korean in real daily life. 🎓 Want to role-play shopping or daily conversations?
Take my italki lesson here and learn with me!
🗓️ Update & Transparency
Last updated: 2025-08-29 (KST) · Contact: REPLACE_WITH_CONTACT
This article will be continuously revised and improved based on learner needs. Until I'm 100% satisfied.