紫

• Pinyin: zǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 紫 = 此 (this) + 糸 (silk) — a color dyed in silk

Meaning

Purple; violet. The color between red and blue on the spectrum.

In Chinese culture, purple has been associated with nobility and spirituality. Common compounds include 紫色 (purple color), 紫外线 (ultraviolet rays), and 紫禁城 (Forbidden City).

Examples

1. 她穿了一件紫色的连衣裙，非常漂亮。 She wore a purple dress and looked very beautiful.
2. 夏天要注意防紫外线，保护皮肤。 In summer, you should protect against UV rays to protect your skin.
3. 天边的晚霞染上了一层淡淡的紫。 The evening glow on the horizon was tinged with a faint purple.

Usage Guide

Context: colors, fashion, nature

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 紫色是今年的流行色。(Purple is this year's trendy color.)
• 这种葡萄是紫色的，很甜。(These grapes are purple and very sweet.)

Don't Say

• 把紫和蓝混淆 (Be careful not to confuse 紫 with 蓝 — purple is distinctly different from blue in Chinese color terms)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: combines semantic element showing dye color with phonetic components. Historically associated with rare and expensive dyes.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal