Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
五颜六色 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
五颜六色wǔyánliùsèmulti-coloredHSK 5, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #33059, Hard
五颜六色wǔyánliùsèevery color under the sunHSK 5, unknown, 29 strokes, rank #33059, Hard
wǔyánliùsè(wu3yan2liu4se4)wu yan liu se T3
  1. 1multi-colored
  2. 2every color under the sun
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

五颜六色(五顏六色)wǔyánliùsè(wu3yan2liu4se4)

The idiom 五颜六色 (wǔ yán liù sè) describes something that is multi-colored or vibrant, often used to refer to a variety of colors found in objects or scenes, such as a colorful painting or a lively market. It emphasizes diversity and richness in color, conveying a sense of beauty and liveliness.

Strokes29Frequency#33059DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, vibrant colors are often associated with festivals and celebrations, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. The use of colorful decorations during festivals like the Spring Festival reflects the essence of this idiom.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright and bustling market filled with stalls of fruits and flowers, each displaying a rainbow of colors. The '五' (five) and '六' (six) suggest a multitude, like the many colors you see—each one a different shade, creating a colorful spectacle.

Meanings of 五颜六色

wǔyánliùsè(wu3yan2liu4se4)
1multi-colored
2every color under the sun
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 五颜六色 means.

About 五颜六色

五颜六色Simplified
五顏六色Traditional
29Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 五颜六色

JasonAmy

Podcast: 五颜六色

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 五颜六色

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, suitable for informal and formal contexts. A common mistake is using it to describe monochromatic or dull objects; ensure you only use it when referring to something that truly showcases a variety of colors.

HSK Study Tips

While 五颜六色 is not a specific HSK vocabulary word, it contains elements that relate to HSK 2 and 3 levels, such as colors (颜, se) and numbers (五, 六). Students should focus on recognizing color vocabulary and how to combine them into phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse this idiom by applying it to describe something lacking in color, such as saying, '这件衣服是五颜六色的' (This piece of clothing is multi-colored) when it is actually plain. Correct usage would be to describe vibrant, colorful items.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 五颜六色

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 五颜六色 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 五颜六色 to You

Let me explain 五颜六色 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 五颜六色 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 五颜六色?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 五颜六色 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Idiom Spotlight: 五颜六色

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:five colors six colors

Component Characters

五wǔfive
HSK 14 strokes二
View full entry
颜yáncolor
15 strokes页
View full entry
六liùsix
HSK 14 strokes八
View full entry
色sècolor
HSK 46 strokes色
View full entry

How to say multi-colored in Chinese

“multi-colored” in Chinese is五颜六色wǔyánliùsè

The idiom 五颜六色 (wǔ yán liù sè) describes something that is multi-colored or vibrant, often used to refer to a variety of colors found in objects or scenes, such as a colorful painting or a lively market. It emphasizes diversity and richness in color, conveying a sense of beauty and liveliness.

When to use 五颜六色

This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, suitable for informal and formal contexts. A common mistake is using it to describe monochromatic or dull objects; ensure you only use it when referring to something that truly showcases a variety of colors.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse this idiom by applying it to describe something lacking in color, such as saying, '这件衣服是五颜六色的' (This piece of clothing is multi-colored) when it is actually plain. Correct usage would be to describe vibrant, colorful items.

Write 五颜六色

五
颜
六
色

Practice writing 五颜六色 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 五颜六色?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 五颜六色

It's generally used for objects or scenes rather than people, as it emphasizes colors rather than characteristics.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 五颜六色?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab