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March 24, 2026
棕色zōngsè(zong1se4)
棕色 (zōngsè) refers to the color brown, which is commonly associated with natural materials like wood and earth. It is often used in various contexts, such as describing colors of animals, clothing, or objects. The term captures a warm, earthy tone that is prevalent in everyday life.
Frequency#4593DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the color brown is often associated with stability and reliability, much like the color of earth. It is frequently seen in traditional Chinese pottery and art, reflecting the importance of nature.
Memory Tip
Imagine a brown bear (棕色) sitting on a wooden log. The bear's fur is the color of wood, linking the character 棕 (zōng) to its meaning of brown. The character has the radical 木 (wood) suggesting its connection to nature.
Meanings of 棕色
zōngsè(zong1se4)
1brown
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 棕色
棕色Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4593Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 棕色
Podcast: 棕色
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AI Study Notes for 棕色
Quick Contrast
咖啡色 (kāfēisè) - use 棕色 for a more general brown shade, while 咖啡色 specifically refers to coffee brown.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a brown bear (棕色) sitting on a wooden log. The bear's fur is the color of wood, linking the character 棕 (zōng) to its meaning of brown. The character has the radical 木 (wood) suggesting its connection to nature.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 棕色 with other shades like 咖啡色 (kāfēisè, coffee color) or 黑色 (hēisè, black). It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often used in describing objects or animals. Be careful with tone; mispronouncing the first or second tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, students should focus on using 棕色 in descriptive sentences and practice its usage in contexts like fashion, art, or nature. Connecting it with other color words can enhance vocabulary retention.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the color brown is often associated with stability and reliability, much like the color of earth. It is frequently seen in traditional Chinese pottery and art, reflecting the importance of nature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 棕色 to describe colors that are not brown, such as using it for gray (灰色, huīsè). Ensure you are using the correct color context when describing objects.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 棕色
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Grammar Patterns of 棕色
棕色 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). 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
他是个白人，留着____的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
Example Sentences for 棕色 (10)
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1
他是个白人，留着棕色的齐肩发并蓄着小胡子。
tā shì gè bái rén， ， liú zháo zōng sè de qí jiān fā bìng xù zháo xiǎo hú。
He was white, with brown shoulder-length hair and a moustache.
2
她摸着他那浓密的淡棕色胸毛。
tā mō zháo tā nà nóng mì de dàn zōng sè xiōng máo。
She touched the thick mat of sandy hair on his chest.
3
用“户外女孩”品牌的棕色眉笔更加清晰地勾勒出眉形。
yòng“ “ hù wài nǚ” hái ” pǐn pái de zōng sè méi bǐ gēng jiā qīng xī dì gōu lè chū。
Give your brows extra definition with Outdoor Girl'sEyebrow Pencil in Brown.
4
安娜穿着亚麻长袍，衬出其棕色的皮肤，显得十分高贵。
ān nà chuān zháo yà má cháng páo， ， chèn chū qí zōng sè de pí， fū ， xiǎn dé shí fēn。
Anna looked tanned and majestic in her linen caftan.
5
一只棕色的小鹿蹦跳着穿过他们面前的那条小路。
yī zhī zōng sè de xiǎo lù bèng tiào zháo chuān guò tā mén miàn qián de nà tiáo xiǎo lù。
A small brown fawn hopped across the trail in front of them.
6
他的头发又变回原来的淡红棕色。
tā de tóu fā yòu biàn huí yuán lái de dàn hóng zōng sè。
His hair has reverted back to its original copper hue.
Pale colours are much more in vogue than autumnal bronzes and coppers.
9
我渴望有一件长及脚跟的棕色绒面革大衣。
wǒ kě wàng yǒu yī jiàn cháng jí jiǎo gēn de zōng sè róng miàn gé dà yī。
I hankered after a floor-length brown suede coat.
10
以前男模是很帅的——都有着棱角分明的下巴、完美的胸肌和金棕色的皮肤。
yǐ qián nán mó shì hěn shuài de—— —— dū yǒu zháo léng jiǎo fēn míng de xià、 bā 、 wán měi de xiōng jī hé jīn zōng sè de。
Male models used to be gorgeous — all chiselled jaw, perfect pecs and golden tan.
Cultural Notes for 棕色
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the color brown is often associated with stability and reliability, much like the color of earth. It is frequently seen in traditional Chinese pottery and art, reflecting the importance of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions about 棕色
You can say '这件衣服是棕色的' (Zhè jiàn yīfú shì zōngsè de) meaning 'This piece of clothing is brown.'
Yes, you can refer to lighter or darker shades with terms like 浅棕色 (qiǎn zōngsè, light brown) or 深棕色 (shēn zōngsè, dark brown).
Yes, 棕色 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in literature, art descriptions, and everyday conversation.
