Kastanienbraun
/kasˈtaːni̯ənˌbʁaʊ̯n/neuter
The English word auburn can be translated into German as Kastanienbraun. Wiktionary also lists rotbraun and rötlichbraun.
Meaning: reddish-brown (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kastanienbraun | /kasˈtaːni̯ənˌbʁaʊ̯n/ | neuter |
| kastanienbraun | /kasˈtaːni̯ənˌbʁaʊ̯n/ | |
| rotbraun | [ˈʁoːtˌbʁaʊ̯n] (narrow) | |
| rötlichbraun | ||
| Rotbraun | /ˈʁoːtˌbʁaʊ̯n/ | neuter |
The terms used for auburn describe a reddish-brown color. You can use these as adjectives to describe hair or as nouns to refer to the color itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Kastanienbraun is a compound of Kastanie (chestnut) and braun (brown), literally meaning chestnut brown.
Which one should you use?
Kastanienbraun is a more specific and descriptive term for a rich reddish-brown. In contrast, rotbraun is a more generic term for any reddish-brown color.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using these words as adjectives before a neuter noun such as Haar (hair), the adjective takes the -es ending, such as in rotbraunes Haar.
How do you pronounce it?
/kasˈtaːni̯ənˌbʁaʊ̯n/
Did you know?
- The word braun is a cognate of the English word 'brown' and both likely derive from an ancient Germanic root meaning 'burnt'.
- While Kastanienbraun describes the color of a chestnut, the word Kastanie is also used in German to describe the shape of a chestnut-like bun in a hairstyle.
- While English uses 'auburn' to avoid the word 'red', Germans often use the general term rothaarig for anyone with reddish tones, regardless of whether it is auburn or bright red.
Examples in context
- Jane hat rotbraunes Haar.Jane has auburn hair.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe someone having the color Rotbraun in their hair.Tatoeba #4176546 by Dani6187, translation #2427774 by arnxy20
- Sie hat eine auffällige rotblonde Mähne.She has a striking auburn mane.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are looking at a paint sample book in a store.
- LukasGefällt dir dieses Kastanienbraun?Do you like this auburn?
- JuliaJa, es passt gut zu deiner Frisur, Lukas.Yes, it matches your hairstyle well, Lukas.
- LukasEcht? Ich finde es fast zu dunkel.Really? I think it is almost too dark.
- JuliaNein, es sieht sehr edel aus.No, it looks very elegant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “auburn” translations and entries Kastanienbraun, kastanienbraun, rotbraun, rötlichbraun, Rotbraun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
