Color expressions in German often use colors metaphorically to express feelings, describe situations, or convey specific meanings. These expressions are common in everyday conversation and can add color (pun intended) to your language skills.
Common Color Expressions
Common color expressions in German use colors like red, blue, green, black, and white to convey particular meanings. These expressions are often used in everyday conversation.
| German Expression | English Translation | Meaning (German) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rot sehen | To see red | Sehr wütend werden | To become very angry |
| Blau machen | To play hooky | Schul- oder Arbeitsverzicht | To skip school or work |
| Grün hinter den Ohren sein | To be green behind the ears | Unerfahren sein | To be inexperienced |
| Schwarzsehen | To see black | Pessimistisch sein | To be pessimistic |
| Weiß wie eine Wand sein | To be white as a wall | Sehr blass sein | To be very pale |
Color in Descriptions
Colors are often used descriptively in German to convey more than just appearance. They can indicate mood, taste, or even temperature.
| German Expression | English Translation | Meaning (German) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ein roter Kopf | A red face | Erschöpfung oder Verlegenheit | Exhaustion or embarrassment |
| Grüne Wiese | Green meadow | Fruchtbares Land | Fertile land |
| Schwarzer Kaffee | Black coffee | Kaffee ohne Milch oder Zucker | Coffee without milk or sugar |
| Weißer Schnee | White snow | Frisch gefallener Schnee | Freshly fallen snow |
| Blaue Stunde | Blue hour | Zeit nach Sonnenuntergang | Time after sunset |
Idiomatic Uses
Some color expressions are idiomatic, meaning their meanings can't be deduced from the individual words. These are often cultural and require memorization.
| German Expression | English Translation | Literal Translation | Actual Meaning | Usage Example (German) | Usage Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemandem geht ein Licht auf. | A light goes on for someone. | A light goes on for someone. | Jemand versteht etwas plötzlich. | Plötzlich ging ihm ein Licht auf. | Suddenly, a light went on for him. |
| Unter die Haube kommen | To get under the hood. | To get under the hood. | Heiraten | Sie ist endlich unter die Haube gekommen. | She finally got married. |
| Auf Wolke sieben schweben | To float on cloud seven. | To float on cloud seven. | Sehr glücklich sein | Sie schwebt auf Wolke sieben. | She is floating on cloud nine. |
Jemandem geht ein Licht auf.
A light goes on for someone.
This idiom means that someone suddenly understands something, much like a light bulb moment in English.
Color in Emotions
Colors are frequently used in German to describe emotional states or physical sensations related to feelings.
| German Expression | English Translation | Meaning (German) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blau sein | To be blue | Betrunken sein | To be drunk |
| Schwarz auf Weiß | Black on white | Schriftlich festgehalten | Documented in writing |
| Rot vor Wut | Red with anger | Sehr wütend sein | To be very angry |
| Gelb vor Neid | Yellow with envy | Sehr neidisch sein | To be very envious |
| Weiß um die Nase werden | To turn white around the nose | Sehr erschrecken | To be very frightened |
Gelb vor Neid
Yellow with envy
'Gelb vor Neid' means to be very envious, using the color yellow to symbolize jealousy.
Color in Culture
Colors also play a role in German cultural expressions, festivals, and traditions, adding a layer of cultural meaning to the language.
| German Expression | English Translation | Meaning (German) | Meaning (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karneval in bunten Farben | Carnival in colorful colors | Fasching mit vielen Kostümen | Carnival with many costumes |
| Die schwarze Null | The black zero | Staatshaushalt ohne Schulden | Government budget without debt |
| Grüne Energie | Green energy | Umweltfreundliche Energie | Environmentally friendly energy |
| Rote Karte zeigen | To show a red card | Jemanden mahnen oder bestrafen | To warn or punish someone |
| Weißer Sonntag | White Sunday | Erstkommunionfeier | First Communion celebration |
These color expressions are just a glimpse into how colors enrich the German language, making it more vivid and expressive.
Karneval in bunten Farben
Carnival in colorful colors
This phrase describes the vibrant and colorful costumes typical of the German Carnival (Fasching) celebrations.
Flashcards (1 of 23)
- English Translation: To see red
- Meaning (English): To become very angry
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
