sik1色

Jyutpingsik1

Yalesīk

名詞Very common

Definition

Colour; the visual impression produced by light reflecting from an object.

colloquialcoloursdescriptions

How it's used

While 色 is the fundamental character for colour, it is frequently combined with 顏 to form 顏色 in everyday speech. Using just 色 on its own often sounds more abstract or refers to the specific shade or tone of an object, rather than the general concept of colour. It also carries a secondary, distinct meaning related to lust or eroticism, which is why it is almost always paired with other characters in non-sexual contexts.

Measure word

zung3種jung

Examples

nei5你zung1鍾ji3意me1咩ngaan4顏sik1色do1多di1啲aa4呀？

Which colour do you like more?

le1呢gin2件saam1衫ge3嘅sik1色hou2好leng3靚。

The colour of this shirt is very pretty.

Common phrases

haak1黑sik1色

black

baak6白sik1色

white

hung4紅sik1色

red

Common mistake

Avoid using 色 alone to ask about someone's favourite colour, as it sounds incomplete; always use 顏色 instead. Also, be aware that calling someone 好色 implies they are lecherous, not that they have good taste in colours.