zwart
/zʋɑrt/
The Dutch word for black is zwart.
zwart is used to describe the color black, which absorbs all light. It can function as both an adjective and a noun referring to the color itself.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use zwart specifically for the color black, whereas donker is used to describe a low level of light or the state of being dark.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective zwart changes its form depending on its position and the noun it describes. It remains in its base form zwart when used after a verb (e.g., de kat is zwart) or when preceding an indefinite noun (e.g., een zwarte kat). However, it takes the inflection zwarte when preceding a common gender noun that has a definite article, such as de zwarte kat. Additionally, the form zwarte can be used as a noun to refer to a dark-skinned person.
How do you pronounce it?
/zʋɑrt/
Did you know?
- The Dutch word zwart is a close relative of the English word 'swarthy', used to describe someone with a dark complexion.
- A common Dutch expression for being very angry is zwart zien van woede, which translates to 'seeing black from rage'.
- Dutch uses the word zwart in the phrase zwartwerken, which means to work illegally or 'under the table' to avoid paying taxes.
Examples in context
- De kat is zwart.The cat is black.This sentence shows how to use zwart as an adjective after a verb.Tatoeba #1348937 by Citrine, translation #1107280 by CK
- Ik hou van zwart.I like the color black.This sentence shows how to use zwart as a noun referring to a color.Tatoeba #5881978 by Raizin, translation #4417523 by mervert1
- De beer is zwart.The bear is black.Tatoeba #6946547 by Micsmithel, translation #5894557 by captcrouton
- Mijn auto is zwart.My car is black.
- De jurk is zwart en elegant.The dress is black and elegant.
- Het was pikzwart buiten, er was geen enkel lichtje te zien.It was pitch black outside, not a single light was visible.
- Mijn koffie is altijd pikzwart, zonder suiker of melk.My coffee is always pitch black, without sugar or milk.
- 228 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Levi are looking at a new car in a showroom.
- LisaKijk naar die nieuwe auto!Look at that new car!
- LeviIs die auto zwart?Is that car black?
- LisaJa, hij is echt glanzend zwart.Yes, it is really shiny black.
- LeviIk vind die kleur erg mooi.I think that color is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries zwart, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zwart, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
