kahverengi

Kahverengi is a color term in Turkish that designates a range of hues commonly described as brown. In color theory, brown is a composite color rather than a spectral color, typically produced by mixing red and yellow with varying amounts of blue or black. In everyday use, kahverengi covers a broad family of earthy, warm tones from light tan to dark chestnut.

Etymology and usage: The word kahverengi literally means "coffee color" in Turkish, formed from kahve (coffee) and reng(i)/renk (color). The separated form kahve rengi is also used, but kahverengi is the standard compound for this color.

Variants and applications: Common terms include kestane rengi (chestnut) and çikolata kahverengi (chocolate brown). Kahverengi describes materials such as wood and leather, natural landscapes, hair colors, and many fashion and interior design palettes. It is often paired with warm neutrals and complementary blues and greens to convey earthiness.

Cultural associations: In Turkish culture as in many others, kahverengi evokes warmth, stability, and practicality. It is linked to soil, forests, and traditional crafts, while very dark browns can be seen as formal or conservative and lighter browns as casual.