braun
/bʁaʊ̯n/
The German word for brown is braun.
braun is an adjective used to describe something having a brown color. Related to this color, the verb bräunen refers to the process of becoming brown, such as tanning skin in the sun or browning food, while anbräunen is also used for the process of becoming brown.
Meaning: having a brown color/colour (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form braun is used as a predicative adjective (e.g., 'Das Auto ist braun'), whereas it requires an ending when used as an attributive adjective (e.g., 'das braune Auto').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective before a noun, the form braun must take an inflectional ending, such as braune for a feminine singular noun in the nominative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/bʁaʊ̯n/
Did you know?
- In German, the phrase braun sein can be a coded reference to being a supporter of National Socialism or the Nazi party, as 'brown' was the color associated with their uniforms.
- German distinguishes between bräunen for tanning and bräunen as a term in metallurgy for the process of creating a protective oxide layer on steel.
- The German word braun shares the same ancient Proto-West Germanic root as the English word 'brown', making them distant linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- Das Buch ist braun.The book is brown.This sentence demonstrates the use of braun to describe the color of a book.Tatoeba #6005491 by wolfgangth, translation #5256992 by solejar
- Ihr Haar ist braun.Her hair is brown.This sentence shows how to use braun when describing hair.Tatoeba #8305703 by GuidoW, translation #12177461 by sundown
- Das Brot ist braun.The bread is brown.This sentence illustrates the use of braun for the color of bread.Tatoeba #8320507 by MisterTrouser, translation #2353529 by kerbear407
- Das Büro hat einen braunen Teppich.The office has a brown carpet.
- Der Kunde möchte braune Schuhe kaufen.The customer wants to buy brown shoes.
- Ich habe braune Haare.I have brown hair.
- Er trägt eine braune Jacke.He is wearing a brown jacket.
- Mein Hund hat kastanienbraunes Fell.My dog has chestnut brown fur.
- Ihre Augen sind kastanienbraun.Her eyes are chestnut brown.
- Die Wände sind bräunlich gestrichen.The walls are painted in a brownish color.
- Dieser Tisch ist schokoladenbraun.This table is chocolate brown.
- 198 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are looking at a piece of clothing in a shop.
- LukasIst diese Jacke braun?Is this jacket brown?
- LauraNein, sie ist dunkelbraun.No, it is dark brown.
- LukasDie Farbe ist wirklich schön.The color is really beautiful.
- LauraJa, das passt gut zu dir.Yes, that suits you well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brown” translations and entries braun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries braun, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
