German · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Red" in German: rot
rot
Red in German is rot. Like other colors, it takes an ending before a noun: der rote Apfel, ein rotes Auto. After sein it stays rot, as in Die Ampel ist rot (The light is red).
At the lost and found
Ich suche einen roten Regenschirm.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rot
Say it
ROHT
/ʁoːt/
Say ROHT with a long, pure o, like "oh" but without the "w" glide at the end. The r is made at the back of the throat. The final t is short and crisp.
"Red" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| rot | red The adjective, after sein or before a noun with an ending. | The adjective, after sein or before a noun with an ending. |
| das Rot | the color red The noun, with a capital R: Rot ist meine Lieblingsfarbe. | The noun, with a capital R: Rot ist meine Lieblingsfarbe. |
| dunkelrot | dark red Hellrot works the same way for light red. | Hellrot works the same way for light red. |
| der Rotwein | red wine One word in German, like Weißwein for white wine. | One word in German, like Weißwein for white wine. |
| rot werden | to blush, to turn red For faces and cheeks: Er wird immer rot. | For faces and cheeks: Er wird immer rot. |
How to use rot in real life
- 1At the lost and found
Ich suche einen roten Regenschirm.
I'm looking for a red umbrella.
Der Regenschirm is masculine, and as the object it takes einen roten.
- 2Crossing the street
Warte, die Ampel ist noch rot!
Wait, the light is still red!
After ist, rot has no ending.
- 3At a wine bar
Ich nehme gern einen roten Wein, bitte.
I'll gladly have a red wine, please.
Roten is the color adjective before Wein; Rotwein alone does not teach rot.
Mistakes English speakers make with rot
Incorrect: Ich möchte die rot Tasche.
Correct: Ich möchte die rote Tasche.
Before a noun, rot needs an ending. After die, it is rote.
Incorrect: Meine Lieblingsfarbe ist rot. Ich mag rot.
Correct: Meine Lieblingsfarbe ist Rot. Ich mag Rot.
When you talk about the color itself, it is a noun, so it gets a capital letter.
Good to know
At pedestrian crossings in Germany, many people wait at a red light even when the street is empty, and crossing on red in front of children can earn you a disapproving look. In Berlin and eastern Germany, the red and green lights often show the Ampelmännchen, a little man with a hat from East German times. He is so popular that you can buy him on souvenirs.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a color for a new bike in Münster
ChatPal
Das Modell gibt es in Blau, Schwarz und Rot. Welche Farbe gefällt Ihnen?
This model comes in blue, black, and red. Which color do you like?
You
Das rote, bitte! Rot sieht man im Verkehr besser.
The red one, please! Red is easier to see in traffic.
ChatPal
Gute Wahl. Möchten Sie auch einen Helm dazu?
Good choice. Would you like a helmet with it too?
You
Ja, gern. Haben Sie den auch in Rot?
Yes, please. Do you have that in red too?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Red" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Red" in German
Why does rot become rote, roter, or rotes?
Before a noun, the ending matches the gender and case: der rote Pullover, eine rote Jacke, ein rotes Kleid. After sein there is no ending: Das Kleid ist rot.
When is Rot written with a capital R?
When it works as a noun: das Rot, in Rot (in red), or bei Rot (on red), as in Er ist bei Rot über die Ampel gegangen (He crossed on a red light).
What does rot sehen mean?
Just like in English, rot sehen means to "see red", or suddenly get very angry. Rot werden is different: it means to blush.
Is German rot related to English "rot"?
No. German rot is related to English "red". The English verb "to rot" is verrotten or faulen in German. They sound different, too: German rot has a long o, like "wrote".
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
