bunt
colorful
Having many different colors; full of color.
EXAMPLE
Die Blumenwiese im Frühling ist wunderschön bunt.
The flower meadow in spring is beautifully colorful.
bunt
colorful
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Meanings
bunt
diverse / mixed
Diverse, varied, or mixed from different elements.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Reisegruppe ist ein bunter Haufen aus Leuten jeden Alters.
Our travel group is a mixed bunch of people of all ages.
es zu bunt treiben
to go too far
To exceed the limits of what is acceptable; to overdo it or behave outrageously.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner lauten Musik die ganze Nacht treibt der Nachbar es wirklich zu bunt.
With his loud music all night, the neighbor is really going too far.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'farbenfroh' (colorful), 'bunt' is often used to describe clothing, flowers, pictures, or festivals. Typical combinations are 'bunte Kleidung' (colorful clothing), 'bunte Blumen' (colorful flowers), or 'ein buntes Bild malen' (to paint a colorful picture).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder malen gerne mit bunten Stiften.
The children like drawing with colorful pencils.
Literal and figurative
Besides the literal meaning 'farbenfroh' (colorful), 'bunt' is often used figuratively for 'vielfältig' (diverse) or 'gemischt' (mixed). It then describes groups, programs, or a mixture of different things.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben ein buntes Programm für die Feier vorbereitet.
We prepared a varied program for the celebration.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'es zu bunt treiben' is a fixed unit. It means that someone is exceeding the limits of what is allowed. The verb 'treiben' is conjugated and adjusted to the person.
EXAMPLE
Als er anfing, die Wände zu bemalen, trieb er es eindeutig zu bunt.
When he started painting the walls, he was clearly going too far.
Compare with
bunt vs vielfältig
diverse / varied
Bunt and vielfältig can both describe a mixture of different elements. Bunt is more vivid and often more casual, emphasizing the lively, mixed character. Vielfältig is more matter-of-fact and highlights the presence of many different types, forms, or aspects.
bunt
Das Kulturzentrum bietet ein buntes Programm aus Musik, Tanz und Theater.
The cultural center offers a colorful program of music, dance, and theater.
vielfältig
Das Kulturzentrum bietet ein vielfältiges Programm mit Kursen für viele Interessen.
The cultural center offers a diverse program with courses for many interests.
In real life
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