This is a simple little book that will provide you with some helpful phrases and words to get around during a stay in China.
Excerpt:
Colors as adjectives are used in front of the noun with a “de” as a joining word between the adjective and noun.
So “red car” is hongse de che
Red: hongse
Blue: lanse
Green: lǖse
Yellow: huangse
White: baise
BlackL heise
Grey: huise
Pink: fenhongse
Purple: zese
Orange: chengse
Red
You may feel it’s quite interesting that many Chinese love to wear red especially for weddings or birthdays of elderly people. While it stands for blood, bad luck or even disaster in Western countries. However, red symbolizes good fortune and joy in China. Red is found everywhere during the Chinese New Year and other holidays and family gatherings. A red envelope is a monetary gift which is given in Chinese society during holiday or special occasions. The red color of the packet symbolizes good luck. Red is strictly forbidden at funerals as it is a color of happiness.
Yellow/gold
Yellow, corresponding with earth, is considered the most beautiful color. Yellow was the color of Imperial China and is held as the symbolic color of the five legendary emperors of ancient China. In ancient china, ordinary people were not allowed to use the color but everyone has the right to use it now. Yellow often decorates royal palaces, altars and temples, and the color was used in the robes and attire of the emperors. Yellow also represents freedom from worldly cares and is thus esteemed in Buddhism. Monks’ garments are yellow, as are elements of Buddhist temples. Yellow is also used as a color of mourning for Chinese Buddhists.
Black and white
Black and white is used to represent the unity of Yin and Yang. Ancient Chinese regarded black as the king of colors and honored black more than any other color. In modern China, black is used in daily clothing. Black may also be used during a funeral to symbolize the spirit's return to the heavens and people wear black ribbons on their arms.
White is also the color of mourning. Unlike the Western meanings of purity, chastity, holiness and cleanliness, white is associated with death and is used predominantly in funerals in Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese people wore white clothes and hats only when they mourned for the dead (Some places of China still follow this tradition).
