die Farbe Schwarz
/diː ˈfarbə ʃvaʁt͡s/word by word
The English phrase "the color black" is translated into German as die Farbe Schwarz.
die Farbe Schwarz refers to the darkest possible color resulting from the absence or complete absorption of light.
Which one should you use?
In the phrase die Farbe Schwarz, the word Schwarz functions as a substantive (a noun) and is capitalized. This differs from its use as an adjective, such as in ein schwarzes Auto, where it is lowercase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian German, the color black is sometimes referred to as schwoaz.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using Schwarz as a noun meaning 'the color black', the word must be capitalized.
How do you pronounce it?
/diː ˈfarbə ʃvaʁts/
Did you know?
- The phrase Schwarzfahren describes the act of riding public transport without a ticket.
- Working 'off the books' for cash without paying taxes is called Schwarzarbeit in German.
- The English word 'swarthy', often used to describe dark skin, is a direct linguistic relative of the German Schwarz.
Examples in context
- Mir gefällt die Farbe Schwarz.I like the color black.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for die Farbe Schwarz.Tatoeba #4419627 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4417523 by mervert1
- Die Nacht ist schwarz wie Kohle.The night is black as coal.
- Das Auto ist schwarz lackiert.The car is painted black.
- Seine Haare sind kohlrabenschwarz.His hair is jet black.
- Sein Mantel ist rabenschwarz.His coat is pitch black.
- Ihre Augen sind rabenschwarz.Her eyes are ebony/black as a raven's.
- Die Farbe Schwarz passt gut zu diesem Kleid.The color black goes well with this dress.
- Ich habe die Farbe Schwarz gewählt.I chose the color black.
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are discussing interior design in their apartment.
- HannahGlaubst du, die Farbe Schwarz ist zu dunkel für das Wohnzimmer?Do you think the color black is too dark for the living room?
- LukasNein, ich finde die Farbe Schwarz sehr elegant.No, I find the color black very elegant.
- HannahVielleicht sollten wir lieber ein dunkles Grau nehmen.Maybe we should take a dark gray instead.
- LukasDas ist ein guter Vorschlag, Hannah.That is a good suggestion, Hannah.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (die, Farbe, Schwarz) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Farbe, Schwarz, die, schwarz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
