Key Facts
- Hangul: 분홍색; Revised Romanization: bunhongsaek
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean, hanja 粉紅色 (粉 powder + 紅 red + 色 color)
- Register: neutral, standard noun for the color
Pink in Korean: What Does 분홍색 Mean?
분홍색 means "pink" as the name of a color. It describes flowers, clothes and anything in that soft red shade. Related words cover nearby shades: 연분홍 is light pink, and 분홍빛 is a pinkish tone or glow. The loanword 핑크 means the same color and is especially common in fashion.
How Do You Pronounce 분홍색?
Three syllables: bun-hong-saek. The ㅎ at the start of the second syllable is soft after the n, and 홍 ends in ng. The final ㄱ of 색 is an unreleased k; before a vowel it links forward as a g: 분홍색을 is [bun-hong-sae-geul].
Example Sentences with 분홍색
분홍색 꽃이 예뻐요.
Bunhongsaek kkochi yeppeoyo
The pink flowers are pretty.
분홍색 describes 꽃 (flowers), and 예뻐요 means "are pretty".
분홍색 원피스를 입었어요.
Bunhongsaek wonpiseureul ibeosseoyo
I wore a pink dress.
원피스 is a one-piece dress, and 입었어요 is the past tense of "wear".
딸은 분홍색을 좋아해요.
Ttareun bunhongsaegeul joahaeyo
My daughter likes pink.
딸 means "daughter", and 좋아해요 means "likes".
Common Phrases and Collocations
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 분홍색 꽃 | pink flower |
| 분홍색 옷 | pink clothes |
| 분홍빛 | pinkish tone |
| 연분홍 | light pink |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: assuming only the loanword 핑크 is used for pink, or only 분홍색.
Correct: both are common. 분홍색 is the standard word, and 핑크 is the casual or fashion alternative you will hear in shops.
분홍색 Compared with Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 분홍색 | pink (color) | This page's word: the standard word |
| 핑크 | pink (loanword) | Very common in fashion and casual speech |
| 연분홍 | light pink | A paler pink |
| 빨간색 | red | The stronger color that pink softens |
Where Does the Word Come From?
분홍색 is the Korean reading of 粉紅色: 粉 (powder), 紅 (red) and 色 (color). A "powdered red" is a softened red, which is exactly what pink is.
Choosing a Pink Item in a Shop
A customer likes an item on display and asks for another color. The clerk offers light pink, and the customer chooses it.
Customer
이거 분홍색도 있어요?
Igeo bunhongsaekdo isseoyo?
Does this come in pink too?
Clerk
네, 연분홍색이 있어요.
Ne, yeonbunhongsaegi isseoyo.
Yes, we have light pink.
Customer
연분홍색 보여 주세요.
Yeonbunhongsaek boyeo juseyo.
Please show me the light pink one.
Clerk
네, 여기 있어요.
Ne, yeogi isseoyo.
Sure, here it is.
분홍색도 asks whether pink is another available option. 도 means “also” or “too”; the customer is asking about an additional color of the same item. 이거, “this”, lets the speaker point to the product without naming it.
연분홍색 names a pale pink. In the third line the color stands for the item in that color, just as English can say “show me the pink one”. 보여 주세요 is a polite request to see it. The dialogue does not need to repeat the product name in every turn.
How Do You Put 분홍색 into a Sentence?
분홍색 is a color noun. Before another noun, use it directly: 분홍색 가방 means “pink bag”, and 분홍색 꽃 means “pink flower”. The color word stays the same. The space separates the color description from the thing it describes.
To state an object’s color, use 분홍색이에요, “it is pink”. The ending 이에요 follows the final consonant ㄱ. When pink is the thing someone likes, 분홍색을 좋아해요 uses 을 to mark the color as the object. These two patterns let you describe a bag’s color and then say whether you like that color.
분홍색으로 means “in pink” or “using pink” in contexts such as coloring or choosing a finish. 으로 follows 색 because it ends in a consonant. The particle points to the color used for the result, rather than identifying pink as the object someone likes.
Shade Words and Everyday Combinations
연분홍 and 연분홍색 both name a light pink. Adding 색 makes the word “color” explicit. 진한 분홍색 means a deep or strong pink, while 연한 분홍색 means a light or pale pink. The modifiers help when two items are both pink but look noticeably different.
분홍빛 describes a pinkish color, tint or glow. It fits a sky, reflected light or cheeks taking on a pink tone. The ending 빛 focuses on the visible tint, while 분홍색 simply names the color. You do not have to identify an object as entirely pink to describe a 분홍빛 in it.
분홍색 옷, 분홍색 리본 and 분홍색 꽃 are ordinary combinations for pink clothes, a pink ribbon and pink flowers. They describe the actual color. No idiomatic meaning is needed to use the noun naturally in everyday speech.
Where Will You See Each Name for Pink?
분홍색 appears in color lessons, descriptions of flowers and everyday choices about clothing or objects. 핑크 is common on fashion and beauty labels and in product color menus. A store can label an option 핑크 even when a customer asks for 분홍색.
Neither word by itself guarantees a precise shade. If the distinction matters, point to the sample or ask to see the item, as in the dialogue. Switching from 분홍색 to 핑크 does not automatically mean switching from pale pink to bright pink.
Words for Comparing Colors
| Korean | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 색 | color | The final part of 분홍색. |
| 연분홍색 | light pink | A more specific shade than pink alone. |
| 빨간색 | red | Distinguish this from a pale pink sample. |
| 보라색 | purple | Useful when a pink shade looks more purple. |
The color vocabulary lesson teaches the broader palette. Use a shade word when it helps the listener choose between samples; the general color name is enough when the contrast is simply pink versus another color.
Quick Self-Test
- How do you say “pink bag” using 분홍색?
- Does 핑크 always mean a brighter shade than 분홍색?
- What does 연분홍색 specify?
Show answers
- 분홍색 가방, with a space before 가방.
- No. Both name pink; the shade needs more context.
- Light or pale pink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "pink" in Korean?
Say 분홍색 (bunhongsaek). The loanword 핑크 is also common.
Is 핑크 also used?
Yes. 핑크 is very common in fashion and casual speech.
How do you say "light pink"?
Say 연분홍.
How do you say "pink flower"?
Say 분홍색 꽃.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: color vocabulary groups 분홍색 with the other colors.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Read next: purple in Korean.
- Compare: red in Korean.