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色彩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
色彩sècǎitintHSK 5, n, rank #6996, Medium
色彩sècǎicoloringHSK 5, n, rank #6996, Medium
色彩sècǎicolorationHSK 5, n, rank #6996, Medium
色彩sècǎicharacterHSK 5, n, rank #6996, Medium
色彩sècǎi(fig.) flavorHSK 5, unknown, rank #6996, Medium
sècǎi(se4cai3) T4
  1. 1tint
  2. 2coloring
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
色彩sècǎi(se4cai3)

色彩 (sè cǎi) refers to the variety of colors or hues, often used in contexts related to art, design, and aesthetics. It can also metaphorically describe the 'flavor' or 'character' of something, such as a person's personality or a cultural feature.

Frequency#6996DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, color symbolism is deeply rooted, with different colors representing various emotions and cultural meanings; for instance, red is associated with happiness and festivals. Thus, 色彩 is not just about visual aspects but also about cultural significance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vibrant rainbow (色) where each color (彩) tells a different story. Picture a painter with a palette of colors, each hue representing a different 'flavor' of emotion, helping you remember that 色彩 is all about the richness and diversity of color.

Meanings of 色彩

sècǎi(se4cai3)
1tint
2coloring
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 色彩

色彩Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6996Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 色彩

JasonAmy

Podcast: 色彩

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 色彩

Quick Contrast

色调 (sèdiào) refers specifically to the tone or shade of a color, while 色彩 (sècǎi) encompasses a broader range of colors and their variety.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a vibrant rainbow (色) where each color (彩) tells a different story. Picture a painter with a palette of colors, each hue representing a different 'flavor' of emotion, helping you remember that 色彩 is all about the richness and diversity of color.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 色彩 with just 'color' (颜色 yánsè), as 色彩 often implies a broader range of tones and emotional depth. It is typically used in more artistic or descriptive contexts, so maintain a formal register when discussing art or aesthetics.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 5, this word connects with other vocabulary related to art and description, such as 颜色 (color) and 明亮 (bright). Focus on understanding its metaphorical uses to enhance your expressive language skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, color symbolism is deeply rooted, with different colors representing various emotions and cultural meanings; for instance, red is associated with happiness and festivals. Thus, 色彩 is not just about visual aspects but also about cultural significance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 色彩 with 颜色 (color), using them interchangeably without recognizing that 色彩 implies a broader range of tones and emotional depth. For example, saying '我喜欢颜色的色彩' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我喜欢色彩的丰富性'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 色彩

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Component Characters

色sècolor
HSK 46 strokes色
View full entry
彩cǎi(bright) color
HSK 611 strokes彡
View full entry

Write 色彩

色
彩

Practice writing 色彩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 色彩

色彩 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

设置这门课程是为了指导学生如何运用____和构图。

The course is designed to help students with colour and composition.

Example Sentences for 色彩 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
设置这门课程是为了指导学生如何运用色彩和构图。

shè zhì zhè mén kè chéng shì wéi le zhǐ dǎo xué shēng rú hé yùn yòng sè cǎi hé gòu tú。

The course is designed to help students with colour and composition.
2
他是新内阁中鹰派色彩最浓的成员之一。

tā shì xīn nèi gé zhōng yīng pài sè cǎi zuì nóng de chéng yuán zhī yī。

He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
3
该渔港通常都是一派热闹繁忙的景象，很有地方色彩。

gāi yú gǎng tōng cháng dū shì yī pài rè nào fán máng de jǐng xiàng， ， hěn yǒu dì fāng sè。

The fishing boat harbour was usually bustling with lots of local colour.
4
她那些色彩斑斓的油画与纸上作品给人一种天真、梦幻般的感觉。

tā nà xiē sè cǎi bān lán de yóu huà yǔ zhǐ shàng zuò pǐn gěi rén yī zhǒng tiān zhēn、 、 mèng huàn bān de gǎn。

Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.
5
有时跳这种舞的人会手拿色彩鲜艳的丝巾。

yǒu shí tiào zhè zhǒng wǔ de rén huì shǒu ná sè cǎi xiān yàn de sī jīn。

Sometimes the people doing this dance hold brightly colored scarves.
6
色彩的明艳美丽会让你大饱眼福。

sè cǎi de míng yàn měi lì huì ràng nǐ dà bǎo yǎn fú。

You'll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colors.
7
她的作品可能会被指责带有种族中心主义色彩。

tā de zuò pǐn kě néng huì bèi zhǐ zé dài yǒu zhǒng zú zhōng xīn zhǔ yì sè cǎi。

Her work is open to the criticism that it is ethnocentric.
8
色彩鲜明的主题才会产生这种效果。

sè cǎi xiān míng de zhǔ tí cái huì chǎn shēng zhè zhǒng xiào guǒ。

The effect only works well with strongly coloured subjects.
9
为了看上去不过于正式，卡罗琳建议穿有民族色彩的上衣。

wéi le kàn shàng qù bù guò yú zhèng shì， ， kǎ luó lín jiàn yì chuān yǒu mín zú sè cǎi de shàng。

To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
10
尤其是在四五月份，不计其数的野花盛开，山谷里一片绚烂色彩。

yóu qí shì zài sì wǔ yuè fèn， ， bù jì qí shù de yě huā shèng， kāi ， shān gǔ lǐ yī piàn xuàn làn。

Millions of wild flowers colour the valleys, especially in April and May.

Cultural Notes for 色彩

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, color symbolism is deeply rooted, with different colors representing various emotions and cultural meanings; for instance, red is associated with happiness and festivals. Thus, 色彩 is not just about visual aspects but also about cultural significance.

Frequently Asked Questions about 色彩

Yes, 色彩 can metaphorically describe the emotional 'flavor' or character of a person or situation.