灰色

• Pinyin: huī sè
• Hanzi breakdown: 灰 = 火 (fire) + 又 (hand) — ash from fire; 色 = 巴 + 巾 — color/appearance

Meaning

Gray; grey color. The color between black and white, or metaphorically describing something ambiguous or gloomy.

Literally refers to the gray color. Figuratively used for ambiguous or shady areas: 灰色地带 (gray area), 灰色收入 (gray income/under-the-table income). Can also describe a pessimistic mood or outlook.

Examples

1. 他今天穿了一件灰色的外套。 He wore a gray coat today.
2. 这件事处于法律的灰色地带。 This matter falls into a legal gray area.
3. 连续几天的阴雨让心情变得灰色。 Days of continuous rain made my mood gloomy.

Usage Guide

Context: colors, fashion, metaphor

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我喜欢灰色的设计风格。(I like the gray design style.)
• 这是一个灰色地带。(This is a gray area.)

Don't Say

• 说'我的心情很灰色'而不解释 (When using 灰色 metaphorically for mood, add context — the literal meaning is just the color; say 心情灰暗 or explain the feeling)

Origin & History

灰 (ash, gray) + 色 (color). 灰 originally referred to the gray color of ash.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal