1. Why learn all the colours in Chinese?
If you’re just getting started with your Mandarin classes in Dubai (evening or weekend classes at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre are popular), you might wonder whether it’s to o early to learn colours. There are many good reasons to start early: Describe more accurately. You’ll be able to point at “that blue dress in the Jumeirah Boutique” or ask for a “turquoise tile for the pool” at a design showroom. Colours are part of every day life. In the UAE’s multicultural environment - from Dubai’s neon nights to Abu Dhabi’s desert dunes - colours help you connect and describe the world. Colours are cultural. In Chinese culture colours carry symbolism; learning them gives insight into aesthetics and customs. Understand idioms. Many Chinese idioms use colours; learning them early helps comprehension and conversation. If you prefer hands - on learning, try a colour vocabulary workshop or a calligraphy & colour class at Jumeirah Centre - g reat for tactile learners and families.
2. Colours in Chinese
The Chinese word for colour is 颜 色 (yán sè) - 颜 (yán) for “appearance” and 色 (sè) for “colour”. Most basic colour words end with 色 (sè), e.g. 白色 (bái sè) - white, 黑色 (hēi sè) - black. Below we l ist common shades with pinyin, pronunciation hints and suggestions for UAE - related contexts (e.g., fashion in Jumeirah, décor, hospitality).
Shades of purple
Purple is used in fashion, design and festive décor.
UAE note: Use these words when discussing bridal fabrics, luxury hotel interiors or floral arrangements for events in Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Lavender | 薰衣草色 | xūn yī cǎo sè | shiun i tsao seh | #E39FF6 |
| Purple | 紫色 | zǐ sè | tzyy seh | #800080 |
| Violet | 紫罗兰色 | zǐ luó lán sè | tzyy luo lan seh | #710193 |
| Grape | 葡萄紫 | pú táo zǐ | pwu taur tzyy | #6F2DA8 |
| Grape | 葡萄紫 | pú táo zǐ | pwu taur tzyy | #6F2DA8 |
| Mauve | 淡紫色 | dàn zǐ sè | dann tzyy seh | #FFD700 |
| Mulberry | 桑葚紫 | sāng shèn zǐ | sang shenn tzyy | #7FFF00 |
| Plum | 紫红色 | zǐ hóng sè | tzyy horng seh | #601A35 |
| Lilac | 丁香紫 | dīng xiāng zǐ | ding shiang tzyy | #C812C8 |
| Indigo | 蓝紫色 | lán zǐ sè | lan tzyy seh | #4B0082 |
Shades of orange
UAE contexts: Mango and tangerine tones appear in seasonal displays at Dubai malls and in restaurant branding on Jumeirah beachfronts.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Tangerine | 柑橘色 | gān jú sè | gan jyu seh | #F28500 |
| Orange | 橙色 | chéng sè | cherng seh | #FFA500 |
| Amber | 琥珀色 | hǔ pò sè | huu poh seh | #FFBF00 |
| Bronze | 古铜色 | gǔ tóng sè | guu torng seh | #B2560D |
| Burnt Orange | 焦橙色 | jiāo chéng sè | jiau cherng seh | #CC5500 |
| Marmalade | 果酱橙 | guǒ jiàng chéng | guoo jianq cherng | #D16002 |
| Mango | 芒果色 | máng guǒ sè | mang guoo seh | #FFBF34 |
| Rust | 铁锈色 | tiě xiù sè | tiee shiow seh | #AB0B23 |
| Papaya | 木瓜色 | mù guā sè | muh gua seh | #E66A35 |
Shades of blue
Blue is one of the most popular and versatile colors, with tons of captivating shades that range from rich navy blue to mesmerizing Caribbean Sea turquoise. Here are some of the most common shades of blue in Chinese.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Royal Blue | 皇家蓝 | huáng jiā lán | hwang jia lan | #281E5D |
| Blue | 蓝色 | lán sè | lan seh | #0000FF |
| Turquoise | 绿松色 | lǜ sōng sè | liuh song seh | #30D5C8 |
| Teal | 蓝绿色 | lán lǜ sè | lan liuh seh | #008080 |
| Cyan | 青色 | qīng sè | ching seh | #00FFFF |
| Sky Blue | 天蓝色 | tiān lán sè | tian lan seh | #63C5DA |
| Navy Blue | 海军蓝 | hǎi jūn lán | hae jiun lan | #000080 |
| Baby Blue | 淡蓝色 | dàn lán sè | dann lan seh | #89CFF0 |
| Midnight Blue | 午夜蓝 | wǔ yè lán | wuu yeh lan | #191970 |
Shades of red
UAE contexts: Red is common at celebrations, packaging, and luxury boutiques. Learn auspicious colour vocabulary before Chinese New Year or festival events hosted at community centres across Dubai.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Burgundy | 勃艮第酒红 | bó gèn dì jiǔ hóng | bor geen dih jeou horng | #800020 |
| Red | 红色 | hóng sè | horng seh | #FF0000 |
| Cherry | 樱桃红 | yīng táo hóng | ing taur horng | #990F02 |
| Crimson | 绯红色 | fēi hóng sè | fei horng seh | #DC143C |
| Brick Red | 砖红色 | zhuān hóng sè | juan horng seh | #CB4154 |
| Blood Red | 血红色 | xuè hóng sè | shiueh horng seh | #710C04 |
| Maroon | 栗红色 | lì hóng sè | lih horng seh | #800000 |
| Berry | 浆果红 | jiāng guǒ hóng | jiang guoo horng | #AB0B23 |
| Scarlet | 猩红色 | xīng hóng sè | shing horng seh | #FF2400 |
Shades of yellow
UAE contexts: Useful for interior design consultations, matching carpets and sands in villa décor near Jumeirah.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
|---|
| Lemon | 柠檬黄 | níng méng huáng | ning meng hwang | #EFFD5F |
| Yellow | 黄色 | huáng sè | hwang seh | #FFFF00 |
| Cream | 奶油色 | nǎi yóu sè | nae you seh | #FFFDD0 |
| Canary | 金丝雀黄 | jīn sī què huáng | jin sy chiueh hwang | #FF00FF |
| Chartreuse | 黄绿色 | huáng lǜ sè | hwang liuh seh | #DFFF00 |
| Gold | 金黄色 | jīn huáng sè | jin hwang seh | #FFD700 |
| Light Yellow | 淡黄色 | dàn huáng sè | dann hwang seh | #FFFFA7 |
| Sand | 沙色 | shā sè | sha seh | #D8B863 |
| Mustard | 芥末黄 | jiè mò huáng | jieh moh hwang | #E1AD01 |
Shades of brown
UAE contexts: Describe wood finishes, café menus, and leather upholstery at hospitality venues.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
|---|
| Caramel | 焦糖色 | jiāo táng sè | jiau tarng seh | #65350F |
| Brown | 棕色 | zōng sè | tzong seh | #964B00 |
| Sepia | 棕褐色 | zōng hè sè | tzong heh seh | #80613C |
| Chestnut | 栗棕色 | lì zōng sè | tzong her seh | #3DED97 |
| Chocolate | 巧克力色 | qiǎo kè lì sè | cheau keh lih seh | #4E403B |
| Almond | 杏仁色 | xìng rén sè | shinq ren seh | #EED9C4 |
| Cedar | 雪松色 | xuě sōng sè | shinq ren seh | #4A3728 |
| Coffee | 咖啡色 | kā fēi sè | ka fei seh | #8A624A |
| Walnut | 胡桃色 | hú táo sè | hwu taur seh | #59392B |
Shades of pink
UAE contexts: Great for describing bridal flowers, kids’ classes (Berlitz kids Mandarin), or fashion items in Jumeirah boutiques.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
|---|
| Peach | 桃红色 | táo hóng sè | taur horng seh | #FC9483 |
| Pink | 粉色 | fěn sè | feen seh | #FFC0CB |
| Coral | 珊瑚色 | shān hú sè | shan hwu seh | #FE7D6A |
| Rouge | 胭脂色 | yān zhī sè | ian jy seh | #F26B8A |
| Magenta | 洋红色 | yáng hóng sè | yang horng seh | #FF00FF |
| Salmon | 鲑鱼红 | guī yú hóng | guei yu horng | #FDAB9F |
| Blush | 腮红粉 | sāi hóng fěn | sai horng feen | #FEC5E5 |
| Hot Pink | 亮粉色 | liàng fěn sè | lianq feen seh | #FF69B4 |
| Strawberry | 草莓红 | cǎo méi hóng | tsao mei horng | #FC4C4E |
Shades of green
UAE contexts: Use when discussing landscaping for beachfront villas, or eco - design in Dubai’s sustainabl e projects.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
|---|
| Sage | 鼠尾草绿 | shǔ wěi cǎo lǜ | chuen mei horng | #728C69 |
| Green | 绿色 | lǜ sè | liuh seh | #3CB043 |
| Jade | 碧玉色 | bì yù sè | bih yuh seh | #00A86B |
| Seafoam | 海沫绿 | hǎi mò lǜ | hae moh liuh | #3DED97 |
| Lime | 青柠色 | qīng níng sè | ching ning seh | #AEF359 |
| Forest | 森林绿 | sēn lín lǜ | sen lin liuh | #0B6623 |
| Olive | 橄榄绿 | gǎn lǎn lǜ | gaan laan liuh | #98BF64 |
| Emerald | 祖母绿 | zǔ mǔ lǜ | tzuu muu liuh | #50C878 |
| Mint | 薄荷绿 | bò hé lǜ | boh her liuh | #99EDC3 |
Shades of black
UAE contexts: Common in formal wear, corporate branding and car descriptions (luxury SUVs in Dubai).
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Ebony | 乌木色 | wū mù sè | u muh seh | #080402 |
| Black | 黑色 | hēi sè | hei seh | #000000 |
| Cool Black | 酷黑色 | kù hēi sè | kuh hei seh | #151922 |
| Ink | 墨黑色 | mò hēi sè | moh hei seh | #070504 |
| Obsidian | 曜石黑 | yào shí hēi | yaw shyr hei | #020403 |
| Jet Black | 亮黑色 | liàng hēi sè | lianq hei seh | #030303 |
| Charcoal | 炭黑色 | tàn hēi sè | tann hei seh | #28231D |
| Onyx | 玛瑙黑 | mǎ nǎo hēi | maa nao hei | #030104 |
| Midnight | 午夜黑 | wǔ yè hēi | wuu yeh hei | #040406 |
Shades of white
UAE contexts: Frequent in wedding planning, interior design and bridal salons in Jumeirah and Palm Jumeirah.
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | Pronunciation | HEX Code |
| Beige | 米色 | mǐ sè | mii seh | #F5F5DC |
| White | 白色 | bái sè | bair seh | #FFFFFF |
| Ivory | 象牙白 | xiàng yá bái | bair seh | #FFFFF0 |
| Eggshell | 蛋壳白 | dàn ké bái | dann ker bair | #F9FEFF |
| Coconut | 椰子白 | yē zǐ bái | ie tzy bair | #F0EDE5 |
| Pearl | 珍珠白 | zhēn zhū bái | jen ju bair | #F8F6F0 |
| Bone | 骨白色 | gǔ bái sè | guu bair seh | #F9F6EE |
| Alabaster | 石膏白 | shí gāo bái | shyr gau bair | #F8F3ED |
| Off white | 灰白色 | huī bái sè | huei bair seh | #FAF9F6 |
Difference between colours in Chinese and Western cultures
In Western culture, colours are often discussed scientifically (spectrum, RGB/HEX codes). Traditional Chinese colour naming frequently draws from nature and materials - e.g., a shade may be named after a plant, mineral, or textile. That approach produces poetic names and subtle tonal distinctions. Learning both systems is useful in design, fashion and cultural conversations in the UAE’s international markets.
Fun Chinese idioms related to colours
Colours appear in many idioms. Knowing these helps you understand deeper meanings in conversation and media.
Examples: 红红 火火 (hóng hóng huǒ huǒ) - lively and prosperous. 戴 绿 帽子 (dài lǜ mào zǐ) - to be cheated on (cultural note: avoid giving or weari ng green hats). 青出于 蓝 (qīng chū yú lán) - the student surpasses the teacher (used to praise progress). Practice idioms in context: try an idiom - based speaking activity at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre conversation clubs.
FAQs about Chinese colours
What are the colours of Chinese New Year?
Red is the most important - used for decorations, lucky envelopes and festive clothing.
What do different colours mean in Chinese culture?
General associations: red (luck), yellow (royalty), black (water/serious), white (mourn ing in traditional contexts), green (nature - but be cautious about green hats).
Which colours are lucky/unlucky?
Lucky: red, gold, green. Unlucky: white and black (in certain contexts), and green when linked to infidelity.
How to practise in the UAE (quick suggestions)
Attend Mandarin classes at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre (group or one - to - one) and request a colour vocabulary module. Join conversation clubs and role - play shopping in Chinese at Dubai malls (Mall of the Emirates, City Walk, Jumeirah). Try a cultural workshop (paper - cutting, calligraphy) at Jumeirah Centre where colours and materials are discussed in Mandarin. Use colours while describing Dubai scenes: 阿拉伯海的 绿 松色海水 (lǜ sōng sè) - turquoise of the Arabian Gulf.
Paint a beautiful story For structured practice,>
Berlitz UAE can help - whether you learn at our Dubai branches (Jumeirah or JLT), study on - site in DIFC, or visit our Abu Dhabi branches in Khalidiya and Khalifa. You now have an expanded palette of Chinese colour vocabulary to describ e the UAE’s vivid scenes - from the sands of the desert to the lights of the Burj Khalifa. If you’d like, I can convert this into a printable colour cheat - sheet, a short lesson plan for a 60 - minute class at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre, or a social media po st to promote a colour - themed Mandarin workshop.
