Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| červeň | [ˈt͡ʃɛrvɛɲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| červená | [ˈt͡ʃɛrvɛnaː] (narrow) | feminine |
| rudá | [ˈrudaː] (narrow) | feminine |
The term can refer to the color itself as a noun, or be used as an adjective to describe objects. When describing a car, you would use červené auto and for a dress, you would use červené šaty.
Which one should you use?
The noun červeň refers to the abstract concept of the color red. To describe specific objects, you must use an adjective such as červená, červený or rudý. While červený is the standard adjective for the color, rudý is used to describe a deeper, more intense red that carries associations with passion and intensity. Additionally, rudý can be used in a political context to mean left-wing, socialist or communist.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes form based on the gender of the noun it describes. Use the feminine form červená, the masculine singular form červený or the neuter singular form červené.
When do people say it?
The idiom být rudý jako rak translates literally to 'to be as red as a lobster' and is used to describe someone who is blushing or very embarrassed.
Did you know?
- The word červený is etymologically linked to the word for 'worm' because certain worms were used to produce red dye.
- The word rudý is used in the names of several historical movements and revolutionary groups in Central Europe.
Examples in context
- Proč je krev červená?Why is blood red?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of blood using the form červená.Tatoeba #12645467 by aldar, translation #12130182 by CK
- Barva máku je červená.The color of the poppy is red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a poppy using the form červená.Tatoeba #11967239 by aldar, translation #11967224 by carlosalberto
- Tahle tužka je červená.This pencil is red.This sentence is useful for describing a pencil using the form červená.Tatoeba #10072460 by aldar, translation #1764753 by CK
- Tato kniha je červená.This book is red.
- Dům je obarven červenavou barvou.The house is colored in a red tone.
- Večírek byl oslnivě rudý.The party was dazzlingly red.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucie and Lukáš are choosing paint for a room.
- LucieKterou barvu vybereš?Which color will you choose?
- LukášJá chci sázet na červeň.I want to bet on red.
- LucieČerveň je příliš výrazná.Red is too vivid.
- LukášTo je zrovna ta výhoda.That is exactly the advantage.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red” translations and entries červeň, červená, rudá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries červená, červeň, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
