lilac
Loading your saved state.
lilac
An ornamental shrub or small tree with strongly fragrant flower clusters, usually violet or white, that blooms in spring.
Im Mai duftet der Flieder im ganzen Garten.
In May, the lilac fills the whole garden with its fragrance.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. Words like 'blühen' (to bloom), 'duften' (to be fragrant), or 'Strauch' (shrub) point to the plant, while words like 'Farbe' (color), 'Ton' (shade), or 'gestrichen' (painted) indicate the color shade.
Im Frühling blüht der Flieder vor unserem Fenster.
In spring, the lilac blooms in front of our window.
When 'Flieder' (lilac) refers to a color, it is often used like an adjective without declension, especially after a noun with the preposition 'in' (in).
Sie trägt ein Kleid in Flieder.
She is wearing a dress in lilac.
In connection with the plant, you often hear that the lilac 'blüht' (blooms) or 'duftet' (is fragrant). You can also pick or give someone 'einen Strauß Flieder' (a bouquet of lilacs).
Der Flieder im Garten duftet wunderbar.
The lilac in the garden smells wonderful.
lavender
'Lavendel' and 'Flieder' can both mean plants with fragrant violet flowers, and both words can also refer to a light violet shade. That is why they are easy to confuse. 'Lavendel' is usually a smaller, fragrant plant whose scent is often used for oil, soap, or calming purposes. 'Flieder' is a shrub or small tree that has many flower clusters in spring and has a strong fragrance. As colors, the two are similar, but 'Lavendel' is more reminiscent of the pale tone of the lavender flower, while 'Flieder' is reminiscent of the delicate tone of the lilac blossom. For scented oil or herbs, 'Lavendel' fits; for the flowering shrub in the garden, 'Flieder' is more appropriate.
Im Frühling blüht der Flieder vor dem Haus in einem hellen Violett.
In spring, the lilac in front of the house blooms in a light violet.
Auf dem Balkon wächst Lavendel, und sein Duft beruhigt mich am Abend.
Lavender grows on the balcony, and its scent calms me in the evening.