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
farblos
colorless / bland
Figuratively, referring to people or things: without distinctive features, uninteresting, expressionless, or boring.
EXAMPLE
Der Hauptcharakter des Romans blieb leider völlig farblos und unscheinbar.
Unfortunately, the main character of the novel remained completely colorless and unremarkable.
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 blass
pale
For a face lacking a healthy color, “blass” is the usual choice. “Farblos” emphasizes the absence of color more strongly and often sounds more vivid or literary when used for a face. Both are possible, but “farblos” describes the impression as more striking.
farblos
Im kalten Morgenlicht wirkte sein Gesicht fast völlig farblos.
In the cold morning light, his face looked almost completely colorless.
blass
Nach der anstrengenden Nacht wirkte sein Gesicht blass.
After the exhausting night, his face looked pale.
In real life
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