German word

rot

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁoːt/

Meaning

  • adjectivered

Example

Ich kaufe ein rotes Hemd.

I'm buying a red shirt.

Illustration for rot (red)

More examples

Die rote Ampel bedeutet Halt.

The red traffic light means stop.

Core concept

A vivid warm color like the strong red of blood, fire, or a ripe apple.

Common phrases

  • rotes Hemd

    red shirt

  • rote Ampel

    red traffic light

  • rot sein

    be red

Similar words

rötlich: Having a slight, muted red tint rather than a clear, strong red.
rosa: A pale red shade close to pink.

Definition in German

Ein Adjektiv für die Farbe, die an Blut, Feuer oder reife Äpfel erinnert

Word origin

German rot is an inherited Germanic adjective from Old High German rōt and Proto-Germanic *raudaz, related to English red.

Usage tips

  • Before a noun, rot takes an adjective ending such as rotes in ein rotes Hemd, but after sein it remains rot.

Opposites

Related words

  • rötlichreddishadjective
  • Rötungrednessnoun
  • rotfärbendye redverb

Word lists with this word