noun HSK 4
color · variety · applause · prize
Meaning
彩 (cǎi) primarily refers to color or colors, especially bright, vivid, or variegated colors. It appears in many common compound words related to colorfulness, luck, and prizes. As a standalone character, it can also mean applause or acclaim in certain contexts.
Usage
彩 is rarely used alone in modern Mandarin and typically appears in compound words like 彩色 (colored), 彩虹 (rainbow), or 精彩 (wonderful/exciting). When discussing colors in general conversation, native speakers usually use compound forms rather than the single character.
Examples
- 01这场表演真精彩!!This performance is really wonderful!
- 02雨后天空出现了一道美丽的彩虹。.After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.
Common collocations
- 彩色照片color photograph
- 多彩多姿colorful and varied
- 中彩to win a prize (lottery)
- 丰富多彩rich and colorful
Antonyms
Origin
The character 彩 combines 采 (cǎi, to pick/gather) with 彡 (three strokes representing patterns or decoration), originally suggesting the gathering or arrangement of colorful patterns.