blue

This is another one of those untranslatable words. Sort of. In the Korean Language, the two most commonly used words for blue is 'paran' (파란) and 'pureun' (푸른). The first word 'paran' is the general word for blue. Blue car, blue house, blue crayon. Interestingly, it can be used to refer to somethings that are green as well. One will sometimes hear older people say the leaves, grass, or the green street light are blue! Otherwise, not a difficult word to translate. The second word however requires more thought. When used to describe things, it carrys a connotation of freshness and cleanliness. For instance, a 'pureun bada' (blue ocean) would be roughly translated as a blue, clean, and enviromentally friendly ocean. A 'pureun gil' (blue road) could be translated as a 'good and healthy road to take in life.' It is especially used by companies on billboards these days to avert or at least their attempt to avert global warming and pollution. It resonates with the Koreans very well.