涂颜色
tú yánsè
Color it in · trad. 塗顏色
涂颜色 (tú yánsè) means to color something in, often referring to the act of applying color to a drawing or a coloring book with crayons or pencils.
What does 涂颜色 (tú yánsè) mean?
涂颜色 (tú yánsè) means “color it in” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “apply color.”
When to use it
Informal and common when talking about coloring activities, especially with children. You might hear adults say it to kids, or kids use it themselves.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “too YEN-suh.” The first syllable has a rising tone, and the second syllable of 颜色 is said lightly.
Other ways to say it
- 填色tián sèfill in color (like a coloring book)
- 上色shàng sèapply color (general term)
- 涂色tú sèdraw or paint
Examples
我们一起涂颜色吧！
wǒmen yīqǐ tú yánsè ba!
Let's color it in together!
你喜欢用蜡笔涂颜色吗？
nǐ xǐhuan yòng làbǐ tú yánsè ma?
Do you like to color with crayons?
这个图画需要涂颜色。
zhège túhuà xūyào tú yánsè.
This picture needs to be colored in.
Pro tip: 涂 implies spreading or smearing, like applying paint or crayon wax, rather than just choosing a color.
Related phrases
一起跳舞吧 · Let's dance画画吧 · Let's draw搭积木 · Build with blocks
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