Colors are not just a vital part of everyday life, but they’re also an essential aspect of language and culture. Understanding colors in any language offers a fundamental vocabulary that is useful in various contexts. In Indonesian, colors are called “warna,” which is a general term used to describe all colors. Here’s a look at some of the most common colors in Indonesian and how they are used:

Merah
Merah means red, a color often associated with passion and intensity. It’s a color that stands out and is used to signify important occasions and festivities.
Bunga mawar itu berwarna merah.

Biru
Biru denotes the color blue, reminiscent of the sky and the sea. It is associated with tranquility and calmness.
Langit hari ini sangat biru.

Kuning
Kuning means yellow, a bright and cheerful color. It’s the color of the sun and often represents happiness and optimism.
Bunga matahari berwarna kuning yang cerah.

Hijau
Hijau translates to green, the color of nature and growth. In many cultures, including Indonesian, it signifies life and renewal.
Daun-daun pohon memiliki warna hijau yang segar.

Hitam
Hitam is the Indonesian word for black. This color can represent elegance and formality, but it can also denote mystery or darkness.
Kemeja hitam itu sangat cocok untuk acara formal.

Putih
Putih means white, symbolizing purity and simplicity in many cultures. It’s a common color for clothing and often used in ceremonial garments.
Gaun pengantin yang putih terlihat sangat cantik.

Ungu
Ungu stands for purple, a color frequently associated with royalty and luxury. It is a rich and vibrant color that captivates the eye.
Bunga lavender memiliki warna ungu yang indah.

Abu-abu
Abu-abu is the term for gray, a neutral and balanced color. It’s often used in clothing and design for its versatility and modern appeal.
Awan hari ini berwarna abu-abu, mungkin akan hujan.

Cokelat
Cokelat means brown, a warm and earthy color. Brown evokes a sense of stability and reliability, much like the earth it often represents.
Kuda itu memiliki bulu berwarna cokelat.

Merah muda
Merah muda is the translation for pink, a softer variant of red. Pink is often associated with romance and softness.
Banyak permen karet yang berwarna merah muda.

Oranye
Oranye, or orange, is a color that combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It radiates warmth and enthusiasm.
Buah jeruk berwarna oranye.

Emas
Emas translates to gold, often representing wealth, prosperity, and grandeur. While not a color you might see daily, it is used for special decorations and jewelry.
Mahkota raja itu berwarna emas dan bertabur permata.

Perak
Perak means silver, another metallic color that signifies sleekness, modernity, and high-tech.
Dia membeli mobil baru berwarna perak.

Learning the names of colors in Indonesian not only expands your vocabulary but also enhances your ability to describe objects and express yourself more vividly. Whether you’re commenting on the deep merah of a traditional batik fabric, the serene biru of the Bali sea, or the lively kuning of a tropical fruit, knowing these basic color terms will enrich your conversational skills and cultural understanding.