off colour

Slang Term BritishAustralian Unknown Neutral
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Meaning: looking or feeling unwell

看起来或感觉身体不适
tener mal aspecto o sentirse mal
顔色が悪い、体調が悪そう
안색이 안 좋거나 몸이 안 좋은

Describes someone who looks pale or unwell. Suggests mild illness or general unwellness without specific symptoms.

形容某人看起来面色苍白或不舒服。暗示轻微的疾病或整体不适,没有具体症状。
Describe a alguien que parece pálido o enfermo. Sugiere una enfermedad leve o malestar general sin síntomas específicos.
顔色が青白く見えたり、具合が悪そうな人を表す。具体的な症状がなく、軽い病気や全般的な体調不良を示唆する。
창백하거나 아파 보이는 사람을 묘사한다. 특정 증상 없이 가벼운 질환이나 전반적인 컨디션 저하를 나타낸다.

Examples

  1. You look a bit off colour today - everything alright?
    你今天看起来脸色不太好——没事吧?
    Hoy tienes mala cara, ¿va todo bien?
    今日はちょっと顔色が悪いね——大丈夫?
    오늘 안색이 좀 안 좋아 보이는데 — 괜찮아?
  2. I've been feeling off colour since Monday.
    从周一开始我就感觉不太舒服。
    No me encuentro bien desde el lunes.
    月曜日からずっと体調が悪い。
    월요일부터 계속 몸이 안 좋아.
  3. The baby's a bit off colour - might be teething.
    宝宝有点不对劲——可能在长牙。
    El bebé no está del todo bien; puede que le estén saliendo los dientes.
    赤ちゃんがちょっと機嫌が悪い——歯が生えてきてるのかも。
    아기가 좀 기운이 없어 — 이가 나는 걸지도 몰라.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: casual, concerned

Tone: observational

✓ Do Say

  • Comment on appearance
    评论外表
    comentar sobre el aspecto
    外見についてコメントする
    외모에 대해 언급할 때
  • Express concern
    表达关心
    expresar preocupación
    心配を表す
    걱정을 표현할 때

✗ Don't Say

  • In American English where less common
    在美式英语中不太常用
    En inglés americano, donde es menos habitual
    アメリカ英語ではあまり使われない表現
    덜 일반적인 미국 영어에서

Origin & History

British expression referring to the loss of healthy complexion colour when unwell. Also used for jokes or comments that are in poor taste.

Cultural Context

Era: timeless

Generation: all ages

Social background: all

More From This Topic

Crook ★★★★★ Sick or unwell (Australian). Poorly ★★★★★ Unwell or sick (British, often for children). Wiped out ★★★★★ Completely exhausted or extremely tired. Run-down ★★★★★ In poor health due to exhaustion or stress. Burnt out ★★★★★ Completely exhausted from overwork or prolonged stress. Right as rain ★★★★★ Completely well; in perfect health.
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