blass
pale
Having a light, colorless complexion, often as a sign of illness, fear, or shock.
EXAMPLE
Sie wurde ganz blass, als sie die schlechte Nachricht hörte.
She turned very pale when she heard the bad news.
blass
pale
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Meanings
blass
pale
Describing a weak, light, and not intense color.
EXAMPLE
Die Wände sind in einem blassen Gelb gestrichen.
The walls are painted a pale yellow.
blass
pale
Figuratively, for something that is unclear, vague, lacking character, or not very impressive.
EXAMPLE
Im Vergleich zu seinem Bruder blieb er eine eher blasse Figur.
Compared with his brother, he remained a rather pale figure.
Usage tips
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'blass' (pale) from the context. If it refers to a person, it is about their complexion, often due to illness or shock. If it refers to an object or light, it is about a weak color. In connection with abstract nouns like 'Erinnerung' (memory), it is meant figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Nacht sah er müde und blass aus.
After the long night, he looked tired and pale.
Describing a change
To express the process of becoming pale, the combination with the verb 'werden' (to become) is often used. This describes a sudden change in facial color, usually due to shock, fear, or illness.
EXAMPLE
Als sie die Spinne sah, wurde sie ganz blass im Gesicht.
When she saw the spider, her face went completely pale.
Fixed expression
A common idiom is 'blass um die Nase sein/werden' (to look/become pale around the nose). It means that someone looks sick, unwell, or frightened.
EXAMPLE
Du siehst aber blass um die Nase aus. Fühlst du dich nicht gut?
You look rather pale. Are you not feeling well?
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'blass' (pale) describes something unclear, lacking character, or not very impressive. It is often used with abstract nouns such as 'Erinnerung' (memory), 'Ahnung' (idea/notion), or 'Figur' (figure/character).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur noch eine blasse Ahnung, wie das funktioniert.
I only have a vague idea left of how that works.
Compare with
blass vs weiß
white
Both words can describe a face that has become noticeably colorless from fright. Blass is the neutral term for a light complexion, while weiß vividly emphasizes the strong visible loss of color. Use blass for the normal description and weiß when the face looks particularly colorless.
blass
Nach dem plötzlichen Schreck war sie im Gesicht sehr blass.
After the sudden fright, her face was very pale.
weiß
Nach dem plötzlichen Schreck wurde sie im Gesicht ganz weiß.
After the sudden fright, her face turned completely white.
In real life
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