The Korean language has some fascinating and unique colour words that provide insight into Korean culture. In this article, we will explore the Korean words for colours, examining how they are written in Hangul, their direct translations, and the meanings behind them. Understanding colour terms in Korean sheds light on how Koreans perceive and describe the world around them. Whether you are learning the language or simply interested in linguistics, this guide covers the basics of Korean colour vocabulary.
The Origins of Colour Words in Korean
The Korean language originally did not have native words for colours other than black and white. Korean colour words were later adopted from Chinese characters, known as hanja. Most basic colour terms in modern Korean are based on hanja. However, some colours have pure Korean names, often descriptive terms referring to an object associated with that colour.
Over time, additional colour vocabulary has been invented or borrowed from other languages. English loan words are now commonly used for colours in Korean, especially for more nuanced shades. The mix of influences is reflected in the range of colour words used today.
The Basic Colours in Korean
Here are the Korean words for the basic colours in English along with their hanja origins:
| English | Korean | Hanja |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 까맣다 (kkamata) | 黑 (hek) |
| White | 하얗다 (hayata) | 白 (baek) |
| Red | 빨갛다 (ppalgata) | 紅 (hong) |
| Orange | 주황색 (juhwangsaek) | 朱黃 (juhwang) |
| Yellow | 노랗다 (norata) | 黃 (hwang) |
| Green | 초록색 (choroksaek) | 綠 (rok) |
| Blue | 파랗다 (parata) | 藍 (ran) |
| Navy | 남색 (namsaek) | 南 (nam) |
| Purple | 보라색 (bolasaek) | 紫 (sa) |
| Pink | 분홍색 (bunhongsaek) | 粉紅 (bunhong) |
Some colours like black, white, red, yellow, and blue have pure Korean root words. Others are derived from hanja compounds.
Unique Korean Colour Words
Beyond the basic colours, Korean has some culturally specific colour terms. These reflect Korea’s unique history, aesthetic values, and linguistic context. Here are some examples:
| Korean Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 남색 (namsaek) | Deep blue, referring to the colour of boy’s clothes |
| 연두색 (yeonduseok) | Soft green, the colour of spring willow shoots |
| 자주색 (jajuseok) | Purple, from the purple dye of native flowers |
| 연보라 (yeonbora) | Light purple |
| 연한 갈색 (yeonhan galsaek) | Light brown |
| 호박색 (hobaksaek) | Pumpkin orange colour |
Some traditional colours like namsaek reflect gender roles in Korean history, where boys wore blue and girls wore red. Nature inspired colours like yeonduseok and jajuseok stem from Korea’s agricultural roots and the use of natural dyes. Modern Koreans may use more English loan words for colours, but these unique terms still appear in daily conversations.
Colour Descriptors in Korean
In Korean, descriptive words are often added to colour terms to create more nuanced shades. For example:
| Descriptor | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 연한 (yeonhan) | Light, pale | 연한 파랑 (yeonhan parang) – Light blue |
| 짙은 (jiteun) | Dark, deep | 짙은 초록 (jiteun chorok) – Dark green |
| 생생한 (saengsaenghan) | Vivid, bright | 생생한 노랑 (saengsaenghan norang) – Vibrant yellow |
Some other common descriptors are 창백한 (changbaekan) for pale, 푸른 (pureun) for bluish, and 강한 (ganghan) for strong. Combining these with colour words allows for more specificity.
How to Form Colour Words in Korean
Korean colours are formed in a couple different ways:
– Simple one word colours like red (빨간), black (까만), or blue (파란).
– Compound words combining a descriptive term with a colour like baby pink (연분홍) or emerald green (강녹).
– Adding an adjective to a colour word like neon pink (네온핑크), burnt orange (구린주황), or pastel purple (파스텔보라).
– Using ‘색 (-saek)’ meaning ‘colour’ after a colour word, like 파란색 (blue colour) or 노란색 (yellow colour). This is commonly done.
– Saying a colour is ‘X-coloured’ using ‘-colored’ or ‘-coloured’ such as 레드칼라드 (red-coloured) or 그린칼라드 (green-coloured).
New colour vocabulary is constantly being created by combining words in these formats. English loan words are also frequently adopted.
Colour Names in Korean Sentences
In Korean, colour words are usually placed after the noun they describe. Some examples:
– 그 차는 빨간색이에요. (Geu chaneun ppalgan saeigeyo.) – That car is red.
– 하늘이 파랗다. (Haneuri parata.) – The sky is blue.
– 나는 분홍색 셔츠를 입었다. (Naneun bunhongsaek syeocheureul ibeotda.) – I wore a pink shirt.
Adjectives like ‘vivid’ or ‘light’ would come before the colour:
– 생생한 노란 드레스 (Saengsaenghan noran deureseu) – A vivid yellow dress
– 연한 파란 바지 (Yeonhan parang baji) – Light blue pants
Keep in mind that Korean has a SOV (Subject Object Verb) sentence structure which affects the order of colour words.
Native vs Foreign Colour Words in Korean
There are noticeable differences between native Korean colour words and those adopted from other languages:
– Native words are descriptive like yellow (노랗다 – norata) meaning ‘becoming yellow’, while foreign words are more abstract like purple (보라색 – borasaek)
– Native words are based on Korean roots while foreign words come from Hanja or modern loan words from English
– Native colour words use adjectives while loan words add ‘색 (-saek)’ meaning ‘colour’
– Loan words tend to be used for more specific shades while native words refer to basic colours
– Younger Koreans today tend to use more foreign colour words, especially English ones
Both native and foreign colour words are widely used in modern Korean. But native colour vocab reflects a more traditional Korean worldview.
The Symbolism of Colours in Korean Culture
Colours carry cultural symbolism in Korea, influencing how they are perceived:
– White represents peace, purity, simplicity
– Black signifies formality and elegance
– Red symbolizes passion, power, luck
– Orange is associated with warmth and balance
– Yellow indicates joy and optimism
– Green evokes life, nature, and youth
– Blue represents calm, wisdom, and serenity
– Purple connotes mystery, nobility, and creativity
Colours also have associations with compass directions, seasons, elements and life stages in Korean culture. Understanding colour symbolism provides deeper insight into Korean aesthetics and traditions.
Conclusion
In summary, Korean colour words reflect a blending of native Hanja terms, descriptive Korean vocabulary, and modern loan words. Unique colour names provide glimpses into Korea’s history and culture. Descriptors allow for nuanced shades. Native colour words offer a more metaphorical view compared to newer foreign terms. Colours also have symbolic meanings in Korean society. Learning colour vocabulary provides valuable insight into both the Korean language and culture. Being able to describe colours accurately has practical benefits for Korean learners in everyday conversations.