色

sè, shǎi

巴 + 𠂊

Definitions

sè (noun) color

sè (noun) appearance; look

sè (noun) sex; lust

shǎi (noun) dice

Etymology

Depicts a kneeling person (卩) being pushed down by a hand (爪). Based on the original meaning "press down", now written as 抑. The current meaning "color" is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 色 today combines ⺈ (a knife variant) and 巴 (crust or snake), though these components do not reflect the original structure. It first depicted a kneeling person (卩) being pushed down by a hand (爪), with the original meaning "press down" (now written as 抑). The current sense of "color" is a phonetic loan. From this, the meaning expanded to include facial expressions, physical appearance, sensual desire, and attractiveness.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我最喜欢蓝色。

Wǒ zuì xǐhuān lán sè.

I like blue the most.

这个颜色很鲜艳。

Zhège yánsè hěn xiānyàn.

This color is very bright.

秋天的景色真迷人。

Qiūtiān de jǐngsè zhēn mírén.

The autumn scenery is really charming.

她脸色苍白，好像病了。

Tā liǎnsè cāngbái, hǎoxiàng bìngle.

Her face is pale, as if she is sick.

色盲的人无法分辨某些颜色。

Sèmáng de rén wúfǎ fēnbiàn mǒu xiē yánsè.

Colorblind people cannot distinguish some colors.

艺术家善于运用色彩来表达情感。

Yìshùjiā shànyú yùnyòng sècǎi lái biǎodá qínggǎn.

Artists are good at using colors to express emotions.

这种材料的色差在允许范围内。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào de sèchā zài yǔnxǔ fànwéi nèi.

The color difference of this material is within the allowable range.

从她的眼色中，我看出了担忧。

Cóng tā de yǎnsè zhōng, wǒ kàn chūle dānyōu.

From the look in her eyes, I saw worry.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 巴

Component: 𠂊

Example Words