How do you use "Off colour" in a sentence?

You look a bit off colour—are you alright? Been feeling off colour all week. She's off colour today, staying home.

Off colour

Q: What does "Off colour" mean?

Feeling unwell; not quite right. 'Feeling a bit off colour' is a classic British understatement for being unwell. Implies looking pale or lacking usual vitality. Non-specific—could mean anything from mild illness to general malaise.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: Feeling unwell; not quite right.

身体不舒服；感觉不太对劲。

Sentirse mal; no estar del todo bien.

体調がすぐれない、なんとなく具合が悪い。

몸이 안 좋은; 또한 약간 저속하거나 야한이라는 뜻도 있음.

'Feeling a bit off colour' is a classic British understatement for being unwell. Implies looking pale or lacking usual vitality. Non-specific—could mean anything from mild illness to general malaise.

「Feeling a bit off colour」是典型的英式委婉说法，表示身体不舒服。暗示脸色苍白或没有平时的精神劲。用途广泛——从轻微的小病到全身不适都可以用。

«Feeling a bit off colour» es un clásico eufemismo británico para decir que uno está enfermo. Implica tener mala cara o carecer de la vitalidad habitual. Es inespecífico: puede significar desde una dolencia leve hasta un malestar general.

「Feeling a bit off colour」はイギリス的な控えめ表現の典型で、体調不良を意味する。顔色が悪い、いつもの元気がないことを示唆する。特定の症状ではなく、軽い病気から全般的な不調まで何でも指す。

두 가지 의미가 있다: 1) 몸이 안 좋거나 컨디션이 좋지 않은 상태. 2) 약간 부적절하거나 야한 (농담이나 발언에 대해). 문맥에 따라 의미가 명확해진다.

Examples

You look a bit off colour—are you alright?
你看起来脸色不太好，没事吧？
Tienes mala cara, ¿estás bien?
「ちょっと顔色悪いね、大丈夫？」
오늘 아침 그녀가 좀 안색이 안 좋아 보였어.
Been feeling off colour all week.
这一整周都感觉不太舒服
Llevo toda la semana sin encontrarme bien
「一週間ずっと体調がすぐれない」
어제부터 계속 컨디션이 안 좋아.
She's off colour today, staying home.
她今天不舒服，在家休息
Hoy no se encuentra bien, se queda en casa
「今日は具合が悪くて家にいる」
그 농담은 회사 행사치고는 좀 야했어.

Pronunciation

/ɒf ˈkʌlə/

Usage Guide

Context: illness, appearance, concern

Tone: understated, concerned

✓ Do Say

Looking off colour
脸色不好
tener mala cara
顔色が悪い
안색이 안 좋아 보여.
Feeling off colour
感觉不舒服
no encontrarse bien
体調がすぐれない
몸이 좀 안 좋아.
Bit off colour
有点不太对劲
estar un poco pachucho
ちょっと具合が悪い
좀 안 좋아 / 좀 야한

✗ Don't Say

Americans might not understand this usage
美国人可能不理解这个用法
Los estadounidenses pueden no entender esta expresión
アメリカ人にはこの用法が通じないことがある
Looking sick (너무 직접적임)

Common Mistakes

In US, 'off-color' means crude or inappropriate—different meaning

Origin & History

From the idea that healthy people have good colour in their face, while illness makes you pale or 'off' your normal colour. Classic British euphemism for illness.

Etymology: From complexion changing during illness

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British politeness

Regional notes: Distinctly British usage.

Variations

Off colourLooking off colour