01
farblos
colorless
Without color; containing no color pigments.
example
Reines Wasser ist eine geruchlose und farblose Flüssigkeit.
Pure water is an odorless and colorless liquid.
farblos
colorless
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation with '-los'
The suffix '-los' means 'without'. 'Farblos' (colorless) therefore literally means 'without color'. This pattern appears in many words, such as 'hoffnungslos' (without hope / hopeless) or 'arbeitslos' (without work / unemployed).
EXAMPLE
Das Desinfektionsmittel ist eine farblose Flüssigkeit.
The disinfectant is a colorless liquid.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the noun: if 'farblos' (colorless) refers to a substance (water, gas), the literal meaning is intended. If it refers to a person, a speech, or a character, the figurative meaning 'boring' or 'uninteresting' is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Diamant war fast vollkommen farblos.
The diamond was almost completely colorless.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'farblos' (colorless) often describes chemical or physical properties. Typical nouns are 'Flüssigkeit' (liquid), 'Gas' (gas), 'Pulver' (powder), or 'Kristall' (crystal).
EXAMPLE
Im Labor arbeiteten sie mit einem farblosen Gas.
In the laboratory, they worked with a colorless gas.
Typical collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'farblos' (colorless / bland) often describes a lack of personality or expression. Typical nouns are 'Person' (person), 'Charakter' (character), 'Vortrag' (talk/presentation), 'Stimme' (voice), or 'Auftritt' (appearance/performance).
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker hielt eine lange, aber farblose Rede.
The politician gave a long but colorless speech.
Compare with
farblos vs weiß
white
'weiß' and 'farblos' can both seem as if they have little color. The important difference is: 'weiß' is a color of its own, for example with paper, snow, or milk. 'farblos' means that something has no color, and is often also transparent, like water or glass. Learners may confuse the words because neither is colorful. As a practical rule: A white sheet of paper is seen as a white surface; colorless water has no visible color.
farblos
Das Medikament ist farblos und sieht fast aus wie Wasser.
The medicine is colorless and looks almost like water.
weiß
Heute kaufe ich weißes Papier für die Einladungen.
Today I am buying white paper for the invitations.
In real life
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