Korean Dictionary
How to say "Indigo" in Korean
“Indigo” in Korean is 남색 (pronounced "Namsaek").
남색
Namsaek
Usage & Context
Namsaek is the Korean word for indigo. Indigo holds cultural significance in Korea, traditionally used in Korean textiles and dyes. It is associated with depth and tradition.
Example Sentence
남색 한복이 전통적이에요.
The indigo hanbok is traditional.
How to use 남색 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Indigo” is 남색, romanized as Namsaek.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 남색.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 남색 as 'nam-saek'. '남' is like 'nahm' in 'nahm-say'. '색' is like 'sack'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing traditional Korean clothing.
남색 한복은 단아하고 품격 있어 보여요.
An indigo hanbok looks elegant and dignified.
Describing a starry night.
밤하늘의 남색이 깊은 인상을 주었어요.
The indigo of the night sky left a deep impression.
Giving fashion advice.
남색 청바지는 어떤 상의에도 잘 어울려요.
Indigo jeans go well with any top.
Cultural Context
남색 (Namsaek) holds significant cultural importance in Korea, often associated with tradition, depth, and dignity. It's a classic color for hanbok (traditional Korean attire) and was historically used in natural dyes for textiles. This color evokes a sense of calm and stability, frequently appearing in traditional Korean art, ceramics, and modern interpretations of classic designs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 남색 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
남색 한복
Indigo hanbok
남색 청바지
Indigo jeans
남색 바다
Indigo sea
Related Expressions
파란색
Paransaek
Blue
감색
Gamsaek
Dark blue / Navy blue
쪽빛
Jjokbit
Indigo blue (traditional term)
전통색
Jeontongsaek
Traditional color
More Colors and Shapes Words
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