Colors in Korean

Published by The LingoNomad

Featured article photo by Steve Johnson (CC0 Licensed)

This Korean lesson is all about colors. First of all, let's take a look at the most important word of this lesson:

Saek (색), meaning 'color'

Like many other Chinese languages, the word Saek (색) follows a color adjective when used to describe the color of an object.

Red → Bbalgan-saek (빨간색)
Orange → Juhwang-saek (주황색)
Yellow → Noran-saek (노란색)
Green → Chorok-sek (초록색)
Blue → Paran-saek (파란색)
Purple → Bora-saek (보라색)
Pink → Bunhong-saek (분홍색)
Gray → Hoi-saek (회색)
Black → Geomjeong-saek (검정색)
White → Hayan-sek (하얀색)

Describing Colors and Objects

When describing a color of by an object, say the color first and then followed by the object. You can drop Saek (색) if you prefer. Here are some examples:

A green book → Chorok-saek chaek (초록색 책)
A black car → Geomjeong cha (검정 차)
An orange door → Juhwang mun (주황색 문)
A red table → Bbalgan-saek teibeul (빨간색 테이블)

Want More Practice in Korean?

Basic Korean (Grammar Workbook) by Professor Andrew Sangpil Byon (변상필) is a useful workbook that you can use to practice your skills in basic Korean grammar points such as forming present and past tense sentences.
Check out KoreanClass101.com, a website where you can learn Korean guided by native speakers through audio lessons. You can start learning anywhere from Beginner, Upper Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels to practice on listening, vocabulary lists, and grammar pointers to fast track your goal in becoming a pro in Korean!
Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 is a useful self-study book designed for absolute beginners to embark on their self-study journey in learning Korean.