xanh

Xanh is a core color term in Vietnamese that refers to hues on the blue–green spectrum. In everyday use it can describe a range of shades, from green to blue, with the exact hue determined by context or by adding a modifier. The word functions as a broad category marker, and color names are often formed by pairing xanh with a qualifier to indicate a specific shade.

Common color expressions include màu xanh lá cây for green and xanh lá for green foliage. For blue variants, people say xanh nước biển, xanh da trời, or xanh dương, each pointing to different blue tones. Other terms such as xanh ngọc or xanh biển (turquoise, blue-green) appear in literature and media. Color naming frequently relies on natural references, like leaves, the sea, or the sky.

Etymology and usage notes: the Vietnamese term xanh has historical ties to the East Asian character 青 (qing), which denotes blue and green in several languages of the region. In modern Vietnamese, xanh remains a broad category; without a qualifier, its meaning can be ambiguous, so speakers typically pair xanh with a noun or adjective to convey a precise hue. In addition to literal colors, xanh appears in idiomatic phrases and contexts that emphasize freshness, youth, or vitality, though these uses vary by region and register.

Overall, xanh is a versatile and integral part of Vietnamese color vocabulary, serving as the umbrella term for blue-green hues and requiring modifiers for exact specification in most situations.