das Grau
gray
A color between black and white.
EXAMPLE
Das Grau der Wolken kündigte Regen an.
The gray of the clouds announced rain.
das Grau
gray
das Grau, die Graus
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Meanings
das Grau
gray
A gray, indistinct, or monotonous appearance in which individual colors or shapes barely stand out.
EXAMPLE
Im Grau des Nebels waren die Umrisse der Häuser kaum zu erkennen.
The outlines of the houses were barely visible in the gray of the fog.
das Grau
gray
A bleak and monotonous atmosphere or life situation.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Urlaub fiel sie wieder in das Grau des Alltags zurück.
After her vacation, she slipped back into the grayness of everyday life.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Grau, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Graus |
| genitive | des Graus |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Grau | die Graus |
| accusative | das Grau | die Graus |
| dative | dem Grau | den Graus |
| genitive | des Graus | der Graus |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Color schemes
For clothing, furniture, and rooms, the phrase 'in Grau' (in gray) is typical. 'In Grau gehalten' (done in gray) describes a design in which this color predominates.
EXAMPLE
Das Wohnzimmer ist ganz in Grau gehalten.
The living room is decorated entirely in gray.
Context clue
In fog, rain, or twilight, 'Grau' (gray) often occurs with 'im' and verbs such as 'verschwinden' (to disappear) or 'versinken' (to sink into). This combination shows that something is barely recognizable in its surroundings.
EXAMPLE
Schon nach wenigen Metern verschwand das Boot im Grau.
After just a few meters, the boat disappeared into the gray.
Typical expression
The combination 'das Grau des Alltags' (the grayness of everyday life) often occurs in the expression 'dem Grau des Alltags entfliehen' (to escape the grayness of everyday life). After 'entfliehen' (to escape), 'das Grau' is in the dative: 'dem Grau'.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem Ausflug ans Meer wollten wir dem Grau des Alltags entfliehen.
We wanted to escape the grayness of everyday life with a trip to the seaside.
In real life
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