sắc

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [sak̚˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʂak̚˦˧˥]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʂak̚˦˥] ~ [sak̚˦˥]

• Audio (Hồ Chí Minh City)

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(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

sắc

1. (Northern Vietnam) sharp (able to cut easily)

   Synonym: bén

   Antonym: cùn

   thanh sắc ― the phonemic tone as in the word sắc; either of the phonetic tones as in the words sắc (a checked tone) and sắn

   sắc sảo ― sharp(-minded)

Sino-Vietnamese word from 色 (“color; beauty”).

sắc

1. a variant of a color; a shade, a tone, a tint, etc.

   sắc mặt ― a complexion

   thất sắc ― (of the face) to become pale

2. (literary or fixed expressions) color

   Synonym: màu

   bảy sắc cầu vồng ― the seven colors of the rainbow

3. (archaic) Short for sắc đẹp or clipping of nhan sắc (“womanly beauty”).

   tửu sắc ― liquor and beautiful women, what men enjoy the most

   tài sắc vẹn toàn ― (of a woman) both talented and beautiful

Sino-Vietnamese word from 敕.

sắc

1. (historical) an imperial order; an imperial edict