Colors in Chinese: Vocabulary and Cultural Meanings
Basic Colors
红 (hóng) red, 蓝 (lán) blue, 绿 (lǜ) green, 黄 (huáng) yellow, 白 (bái) white, 黑 (hēi) black, 粉 (fěn) pink, 紫 (zǐ) purple, 橙 (chéng) orange, 灰 (huī) gray. To say "color" in general, use 颜色 (yánsè).
Color Symbolism
Red represents luck and joy — used at weddings, New Year, and celebrations. White is associated with mourning and funerals, the opposite of Western wedding white. Yellow was historically the imperial color, reserved for the emperor. Green can have negative connotations — 戴绿帽子 (wearing a green hat) means being cheated on.
Color Idioms
红红火火 (hóng hóng huǒ huǒ) — red and fiery, meaning prosperous. 青出于蓝 (qīng chū yú lán) — blue comes from indigo but surpasses it, meaning the student surpasses the teacher. Explore more idioms with our Daily Idiom tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is red so important in Chinese culture? ▼
Red (红/紅) symbolizes luck, prosperity, and happiness. It is used for weddings, New Year decorations, lucky money envelopes (红包), and celebrations. It is the most culturally significant color in Chinese tradition.
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