When people search for color names in different languages, they usually want to explore how common colors are expressed across cultures. This could be for travel, education, design, art, or simply curiosity.
Imagine you’re talking to a friend from another country, teaching students, or shopping abroad—you’ll need to know how to say colors in their language.
This blog will solve that problem by giving you a clear list of color names in multiple languages, along with meanings and practical uses. By the end, you’ll confidently use color vocabulary in real conversations anywhere in the world.
Why Learn Color Names in Different Languages?
- Travel & Shopping Abroad: Helps you describe clothes, food, or décor.
- Education & Teaching: Useful for teachers, students, and language learners.
- Art & Design: Artists and designers often draw inspiration from cultural interpretations of colors.
- Communication: Builds better connections when speaking someone else’s language.
Basic Color Names Across Languages
Here are the most common color translations in 10 major languages:
English | Spanish | French | German | Italian | Portuguese | Arabic | Hindi | Chinese (Mandarin) | Japanese |
Red | Rojo | Rouge | Rot | Rosso | Vermelho | أحمر (Ahmar) | लाल (Laal) | 红色 (Hóngsè) | 赤 (Aka) |
Blue | Azul | Bleu | Blau | Blu | Azul | أزرق (Azraq) | नीला (Neela) | 蓝色 (Lánsè) | 青 (Ao) |
Green | Verde | Vert | Grün | Verde | Verde | أخضر (Akhdar) | हरा (Haraa) | 绿色 (Lǜsè) | 緑 (Midori) |
Yellow | Amarillo | Jaune | Gelb | Giallo | Amarelo | أصفر (Asfar) | पीला (Peela) | 黄色 (Huángsè) | 黄色 (Kiiro) |
Black | Negro | Noir | Schwarz | Nero | Preto | أسود (Aswad) | काला (Kaala) | 黑色 (Hēisè) | 黒 (Kuro) |
White | Blanco | Blanc | Weiß | Bianco | Branco | أبيض (Abyad) | सफेद (Safed) | 白色 (Báisè) | 白 (Shiro) |
How to Use Color Names in Conversation
- Shopping: “I like this shirt in rojo (red).”
- Art Class: “In French, blue is bleu.”
- Traveling: Asking for directions by color, e.g., “the verde (green) building.”
- Daily Life: Describing objects, fashion, or food in different languages.
Fun Facts About Colors Across Cultures
- In Japan, white (shiro) symbolizes purity and mourning.
- In China, red (hóngsè) represents luck and celebration.
- In Western countries, black is often linked with mourning, while in India, white has a similar association.
“Gelb” is the German word for “yellow.” 🌼
- Language: German
- Meaning in English: Yellow
- Pronunciation: [ɡɛlp] (similar to “gel-p”)
- Example sentence: Die Sonne ist gelb. → “The sun is yellow.”
Conclusion
Learning color names in different languages not only boosts vocabulary but also gives insight into cultural meanings.
Whether you’re a traveler, student, or language enthusiast, knowing how to say “red,” “blue,” or “green” in another tongue helps you connect with people worldwide.
Start using these translations today, and you’ll see how colors truly become a universal language.