Korean Dictionary
How to say "Purple" in Korean
“Purple” in Korean is 보라 (pronounced "Bora").
보라
Bora
Usage & Context
Bora is the Korean word for purple. Purple is often associated with luxury and elegance in Korean culture. It is frequently used in cosmetics and fashion industries.
Example Sentence
보라 립스틱을 사고 싶어요.
I want to buy purple lipstick.
How to use 보라 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Purple” is 보라, romanized as Bora.
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 보라.
What learners usually mean by “Purple in Korean”
People usually need this for colors, fashion, K-pop fandom colors, or describing objects.
Real usage
보라색 is the common word for purple. 보라 can also appear as a shorter color word, but 보라색 is clearer for learners and everyday descriptions.
Avoid this mistake
Do not confuse 보라색 with 보라, which can also be a name or appear inside other words. Use 보라색 when you need the color clearly.
Better pattern
Use 보라색 for the color, 진한 보라색 for dark purple, 연한 보라색 for light purple, and 보라색 옷 for purple clothes.
simple preference
저는 보라색을 좋아해요.
I like purple.
shopping
연한 보라색 셔츠를 찾고 있어요.
I'm looking for a light purple shirt.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'bo-ra' — 'bo' like 'bow' (as in bow-tie) said short, and 'ra' with a light flapped 'r' like the Spanish or Japanese 'r', ending in a clean 'ah' vowel.
More Example Sentences
Window shopping in Myeongdong
보라색 가방이 너무 예뻐요.
The purple bag is so pretty.
Talking about favorite colors with a friend
BTS 팬이라 보라색을 좋아해요.
I'm a BTS fan, so I like purple.
Describing flowers at a garden
라벤더는 연한 보라색이에요.
Lavender is a light purple.
Cultural Context
보라색 has exploded in cultural significance thanks to BTS — the phrase '보라해' (a made-up verb meaning 'I purple you,' coined by V in 2016) is now a globally recognized fan expression for lasting love and trust. Traditionally, 보라색 was also associated with royalty and luxury, similar to Western cultures. Younger Koreans also use 보라색 to describe pretty sunsets and K-beauty cosmetics.
Editorial note
We review entries like 보라 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
보라색 좋아해요.
I like purple.
보라해!
I purple you! (love you)
연보라색이 예뻐요.
Light purple is pretty.
Related Expressions
보라색
borasaek
the color purple
연보라
yeonbora
light purple / lavender
자주색
jajusaek
magenta / reddish purple
보라해
borahae
'I purple you' (BTS fan expression)
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct pronunciation of 보라 (Bora) in Korean, and how should I articulate it?+
The correct pronunciation of 보라 (Bora) involves two syllables. '보' (bo) is pronounced like "bow" in rainbow, with rounded lips. '라' (ra) is a flap 'r' sound, similar to the 'tt' in American English "butter," where the tongue briefly taps the ridge behind your upper front teeth. Ensure a smooth transition between 'bo' and 'ra' for a natural Korean sound.
What does the Korean word 보라 (Bora) specifically mean and how is it commonly used?+
보라 (Bora) is the Korean word for "purple." It functions primarily as a noun for the color itself. When describing objects, it's often combined with '색' (saek), meaning 'color,' to form '보라색' (borasaek). For instance, '보라색 꽃' means 'purple flower.' It directly refers to the hue purple in various contexts.
Is 보라 (Bora) considered a formal or informal way to say purple in Korean?+
보라 (Bora) itself, when referring to the color, is neutral in terms of formality. The more common and standard term is '보라색' (borasaek), which means 'purple color.' There aren't distinct formal or informal versions for color names in Korean. You can use '보라색' in both casual conversations and more formal settings without issue.
Are there any common Korean phrases or related words that incorporate 보라 (Bora)?+
Yes, several related terms use 보라 (Bora). The most common is '보라색' (borasaek), meaning 'purple color.' For lighter shades, you'll hear '연보라색' (yeonborasaek, light purple), and for darker shades, '진보라색' (jinborasaek, dark purple). In Korean culture, purple is often associated with luxury, elegance, and mystery, frequently appearing in fashion and cosmetics.
What are some common mistakes or misunderstandings when using the word 보라 (Bora)?+
A common misunderstanding for learners is confusing the color '보라' (Bora) with the imperative form of the verb '보다' (boda, to see), which also happens to be '보라' (meaning 'look!' or 'see!'). However, in the context of colors, '보라' or '보라색' (borasaek) exclusively refers to the color purple. Always consider the surrounding words and context to differentiate.
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