gelb
/ɡɛlp/
The English word "yellow" is translated into German as gelb.
The term is used to describe things that possess the color yellow. You can specify shades by combining words, such as Goldgelb for golden yellow or Zitronengelb for lemon yellow. If you want to describe something that is slightly yellow, you can use the term gelblich for yellowish.
Meaning: having yellow as its color (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form gelb is used as a predicative adjective, meaning it remains uninflected when it follows a verb like sein (to be). For example, in the phrase "Das Auto ist gelb", the adjective does not take an ending. In contrast, when the adjective is used before a noun, it must take an inflectional ending.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective (placed directly before a noun), gelb must take an inflectional ending based on the gender, case and article of that noun. For example, you would use the form gelbes before a neuter noun when there is no definite article, such as in ein gelbes Auto (a yellow car). Other common endings include gelbe for feminine or plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɛlp/
Did you know?
- The phrase das ist nicht mehr das Gelbe vom Ei literally means 'that is no longer the yellow of the egg' and describes something that is disappointing or not quite perfect.
- The term Gelbe Karten (yellow cards) is used in German both in sports and as a metaphor for a formal warning in professional or legal settings.
- The German word for yellow, gelb, is a direct sibling to the English word 'yellow'. They both come from the exact same Proto-Germanic ancestor, *gelwaz.
Examples in context
- Der Käse ist gelb.The cheese is yellow.This sentence demonstrates how to use gelb to describe the color of cheese.Tatoeba #2771794 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2771791 by carlosalberto
- Das Auto ist gelb.The car is yellow.This sentence shows how to use gelb to describe the color of a car.Tatoeba #3302591 by freddy1, translation #3050133 by sundown
- Das Buch ist gelb.The book is yellow.This sentence shows how to use gelb to describe the color of a book.Tatoeba #6005489 by wolfgangth, translation #5256981 by solejar
- Die Sonnenblumen sind gelb.The sunflowers are yellow.
- Die herbstlichen Blätter leuchten in einem wunderschönen goldgelben Ton.The autumn leaves shine in a beautiful golden yellow shade.
- Hast du meine gelben Schuhe gesehen?Have you seen my yellow shoes?
- 239 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are looking at flowers in a garden.
- HannahIst diese Blume gelb?Is this flower yellow?
- JulianNein, sie ist weiß.No, it is white.
- HannahSiehst du die gelbe Tulpe dort?Do you see the yellow tulip over there?
- JulianJa, die ist sehr schön.Yes, that one is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yellow” translations and entries gelb, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gelb, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
