blau
/blaʊ̯/
The German word for blue is blau. Wiktionary also lists blaaw.
Meaning: blue-coloured (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| blau | /blaʊ̯/ | |
| blaaw | Alemannic German |
blau is an adjective used to describe the color blue. It is also part of several colloquial expressions: blau sein means to be drunk, and the expression Blau machen means to play hooky or to take the day off.
Which one should you use?
blau is the standard German form, while blaaw is a dialectal variant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form blaaw is used in Alemannic-German dialects.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use blau as an attributive adjective directly before a noun, it must take an adjective ending, such as blaue in die blaue Blume.
How do you pronounce it?
/blaʊ̯/
Did you know?
- The German word blauäugig literally means 'blue-eyed' but is used to describe a person who is naive or overly trusting.
- The blaue Blume or 'blue flower' is a central symbol of German Romanticism, representing an unreachable goal, longing and the infinite.
- The root of 'blau' can be traced back to the Old High German 'blāo', which originally related to the concept of shining or glowing.
Examples in context
- Das Meer ist blau.The sea is blue.This sentence shows how to use blau to describe the color of the sea.Tatoeba #2397384 by BraveSentry, translation #2396999 by Hayabusa
- Das Buch ist blau.The book is blue.This sentence demonstrates the use of blau to describe the color of an object.Tatoeba #6005488 by wolfgangth, translation #5256977 by solejar
- Tom läuft blau an.Tom is turning blue.This sentence uses the form blau to describe the process of turning blue.Tatoeba #10103234 by wolfgangth, translation #2273565 by CK
- Die blaue Farbe ist sehr schönThe blue color is very beautiful
- Ich habe ein blaues AutoI have a blue car
- Er kam in einem blauen AnzugHe came in a blue suit
- Ich trage ein blaues Kleid zur Party.I am wearing a blue dress to the party.
- Die Wände des Zimmers sind in Blau gestrichen.The walls of the room are painted in blue.
- Wir haben blau-weiße Flaggen, um unsere Nationalmannschaft zu unterstützen.We have blue and white flags to support our national team.
- 540 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are shopping for clothes.
- JuliaIst dieser Pullover blau?Is this sweater blue?
- FelixNein, er ist eher dunkelgrün.No, it is more like dark green.
- JuliaDann nehme ich das blaue Hemd dort.Then I will take the blue shirt there.
- FelixDas steht dir gut, Julia.That looks good on you, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blue” translations and entries blau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
