Key Facts
- Hangul: 파란색; Revised Romanization: paransaek
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: mixed: native 파란 + Sino-Korean 색 (色, color)
- Register: neutral, standard noun for the color; 파랑 and 파란색 are both used
Blue in Korean: What Does 파란색 Mean?
파란색 means "blue" as the name of a color. As a noun it can stand before another noun (파란색 셔츠, a blue shirt), take particles (파란색을 좋아해요) or be the predicate with 이에요.
파란 on its own is the adjective form that goes directly before a noun, as in 파란 하늘, "blue sky". Korean color words also stretch differently from English ones: 푸른색 can cover both blue and green things in nature, such as the sea and young leaves.
How Do You Pronounce 파란색?
Three syllables: pa-ran-saek. The ㅍ is an aspirated p with a clear puff of air. The ㄹ between vowels is a light tap, and the final ㄱ is an unreleased k. Before a vowel, the ㄱ links forward as a g: 파란색이에요 is [파란새기에요].
Example Sentences with 파란색
하늘은 파란색이에요.
Haneureun paransaegieyo
The sky is blue.
하늘은 makes the sky the topic, and 이에요 attaches to the noun 파란색 to say "is blue".
파란색 셔츠를 입었어요.
Paransaek syeocheureul ibeosseoyo
I wore a blue shirt.
파란색 describes 셔츠 (shirt), and 입었어요 is the past tense of "wear".
저는 파란색을 좋아해요.
Jeoneun paransaegeul joahaeyo
I like blue.
The object particle 을 attaches to 파란색, the thing you like.
Common Phrases and Collocations
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 파란 하늘 | blue sky |
| 파란색 펜 | blue pen |
| 파란색 옷 | blue clothes |
| 파란불 | green light (traffic) |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: assuming 파란불 means a blue light and looking for a blue signal at the crossing.
Correct: 파란불 is the green "go" light. 파란불 ("blue light") is a conventional name for the green signal; 초록불 is also used. In traffic talk, 파란 therefore need not describe the physical shade.
파란색 Compared with Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 파란색 | blue (color) | This page's word |
| 파랑 | blue (noun) | A shorter noun for the same color |
| 푸른색 | blue/green | More literary; covers blue and green things in nature |
| 하늘색 | sky blue | A lighter blue, named after the sky |
Where Does the Word Come From?
파란색 is a mixed word: 파란 is native Korean, from the adjective 파랗다 (parata, "to be blue"), and 색 is the Sino-Korean reading of 色, color.
Choosing a Blue Shirt in a Shop
A customer wants the same shirt in a different color. The assistant checks the shade before bringing it over.
Customer
이 셔츠 파란색도 있어요?
I syeocheu paransaekdo isseoyo?
Do you also have this shirt in blue?
Assistant
네. 하늘색도 있어요.
Ne. Haneulsaekdo isseoyo.
Yes. We also have sky blue.
Customer
저는 진한 파란색이 좋아요.
Jeoneun jinhan paransaegi joayo.
I prefer a deep blue.
Assistant
그럼 이건 어때요?
Geureom igeon eottaeyo?
Then how about this one?
The particle 도 means “also”, so 파란색도 asks about an additional color option. 진한 means deep or strong in color. The customer specifies the shade rather than repeating only 파란색. 이건 is a conversational shortening of 이것은, “as for this one”.
How Do You Describe Something as Blue?
파란색 is the color noun. 파란색이에요 means “it is blue”, using the noun ending 이에요. 파란색 셔츠 names a blue shirt. The shorter 파란 셔츠 also works: 파란 is the form of 파랗다 that comes before a noun. These two shirt phrases describe the same color without changing the type of clothing.
파래요 is a complete polite description meaning “is blue”. The spelling changes from the dictionary form 파랗다 because this adjective has an irregular ㅎ pattern. You can begin with the noun pattern 파란색이에요 and recognize 파래요 when you hear it. Keep 파란 for the position before a noun; it is not a complete polite sentence by itself.
진한 파란색 means a deep blue, while 연한 파란색 means a light or pale blue. These phrases describe the strength of the color. 하늘색 names sky blue specifically, so it is useful when a shop offers several named shades. A request for 파란색 leaves more room for the listener to choose a shade.
Where Will You Hear or See 파란색?
Online shops use 파란색 in color choices, and stationery shops use it for pens, folders and other supplies. On a product page, 색상 means color or color option. The label may contain only the noun 파란색, with no sentence ending, because it names an option rather than making a statement.
Everyday instructions can identify an object by its color: a blue pen, a blue bag or a blue button. 파란색 is neutral vocabulary, suitable for talking with a shop assistant or a child. The shorter noun 파랑 is also normal; shortening the color name does not itself make a sentence impolite.
파란불 is a fixed traffic expression for the green go signal. That particular use does not make 파란색 a general replacement for “green” when you shop. For an ordinary green shirt, use 초록색 or 녹색. You may also hear 초록불 for the green traffic signal; 파란불 is a familiar conventional name, rather than the only possible wording.
Nearby Colors and Useful Labels
| Korean | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 하늘색 | sky blue | A specific light blue option. |
| 남색 | navy or indigo | A darker blue color name. |
| 초록색 | green | Use it for ordinary green objects. |
| 색상 | color / color option | Look for this label in shopping menus. |
The color vocabulary lesson teaches the wider palette. When choosing between blue products, combine the color with a shade word or point to the exact item. The word 파란색 alone cannot identify a precise paint or fabric shade.
Quick Self-Test
- Which phrase names a blue shirt: 파란 셔츠 or 파래요 셔츠?
- How would you describe a deep blue shade?
- Does 파란불 mean you should look for a blue traffic signal?
Show answers
- 파란 셔츠. 파란 goes before a noun.
- 진한 파란색.
- No. In traffic talk, 파란불 refers to the green go signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "blue" in Korean?
Say 파란색 (paransaek), or the shorter 파랑.
Why is a green traffic light called 파란불?
Korean traditionally uses 파란 (blue) for the go signal, so the green light is called 파란불.
What is 푸른색?
A more literary color word that can cover both blue and green things in nature.
How do I say "sky blue"?
Say 하늘색, a lighter blue named after the sky.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: color vocabulary for the other colors.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Compare: green in Korean.