01
der Farbton
shade
A specific nuance or shade of a color.
example
Wir müssen genau den richtigen Farbton für die Wand finden, damit er zu den Möbeln passt.
We need to find exactly the right shade for the wall so that it matches the furniture.
der Farbton
shade / timbre
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
'Farbton' (shade/timbre) is made up of 'Farbe' (color) and 'Ton' (tone). Interestingly, 'Ton' can refer both to a visual nuance (color) and to an auditory quality (music).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Farbton passt perfekt zu deiner Augenfarbe.
This shade matches your eye color perfectly.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether a color nuance or the sound quality in music is meant. Words like 'Wand' (wall), 'Kleid' (dress), or 'malen' (to paint) point to the color meaning, while 'Instrument' (instrument), 'Stimme' (voice), or 'Musik' (music) indicate the sound meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Maler mischte einen ganz besonderen Farbton für den Himmel.
The painter mixed a very special shade for the sky.
Typical collocations
For the color meaning, combinations with adjectives like 'hell' (light), 'dunkel' (dark), 'kräftig' (strong/vivid), 'warm' (warm), or 'kalt' (cool) are very common. Typical verbs are 'einen Farbton treffen' (to match/get a shade right) or 'einen Farbton mischen' (to mix a shade).
EXAMPLE
Ich suche ein T-Shirt in einem hellen Blauton.
I'm looking for a T-shirt in a light shade of blue.
Register and style
Using 'Farbton' (timbre) for the sound quality of an instrument or a voice is typical of specialist musical language.
EXAMPLE
In der Partitur notierte der Komponist Anweisungen zum Farbton der Geigen.
In the score, the composer noted instructions about the timbre of the violins.
Compare with
Farbton vs Farbe
color / paint
'die Farbe' and 'der Farbton' both belong to the area of sight. 'Farbe' is the general word, for example red, blue, or green. 'Farbton' is more precise and means a specific variant of a color, for example a warm red or a dark blue. The words can be confused because both are used with walls, clothing, or pictures. If it is only about what color something is, people usually say 'Farbe'. If you are choosing or comparing a precise gradation, 'Farbton' fits better.
Farbton
Für das Wohnzimmer sucht sie einen warmen Farbton.
She is looking for a warm shade for the living room.
Farbe
Welche Farbe soll das neue Fahrrad haben?
What color should the new bike be?
In real life
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