01
gefärbt
dyed
Provided with color; having received a different color from the original one. Often refers to hair or textiles.
example
Sie trägt eine Bluse aus blau gefärbter Seide.
She is wearing a blouse made of blue-dyed silk.
gefärbt
dyed / biased
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'gefärbt' (dyed) is the past participle of the verb 'färben' (to dye/color). It is used like an adjective to describe a noun that has received color.
EXAMPLE
Mir gefallen deine frisch gefärbten Haare.
I like your freshly dyed hair.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'biased' from the context. If 'gefärbt' (biased/colored) refers to abstract nouns like 'Meinung' (opinion), 'Bericht' (report), or 'Darstellung' (account/portrayal), the figurative meaning is intended. With concrete things like 'Haare' (hair) or 'Stoff' (fabric), it is about literal color.
EXAMPLE
Sein Bericht über den Vorfall war sehr emotional gefärbt.
His report about the incident was very emotionally colored.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'gefärbt' (biased/colored) is often specified more precisely by an adverb. Common combinations are 'politisch gefärbt' (politically biased), 'emotional gefärbt' (emotionally colored), or 'subjektiv gefärbt' (subjectively biased).
EXAMPLE
Die Diskussion war leider sehr ideologisch gefärbt.
Unfortunately, the discussion was very ideologically biased.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'gefärbt' (dyed/colored) often describes hair, textiles, or other materials. Typical nouns are 'Haare' (hair), 'Wimpern' (eyelashes), 'Stoff' (fabric), 'Leder' (leather), or 'Glas' (glass).
EXAMPLE
Die Künstlerin verwendet oft bunt gefärbtes Glas für ihre Fenster.
The artist often uses brightly colored glass for her windows.
Compare with
gefärbt vs bunt
colorful
'bunt' and 'gefärbt' can both describe something to do with color. 'bunt' means that something has many different colors or looks colorful. 'gefärbt' means that something has been changed by color, for example hair or fabric. It does not have to be colorful; dyed hair can also be just black or blond. The words can be confused because both are used with color. Remember: 'bunt' describes an appearance with many colors, while 'gefärbt' describes that color has been applied to something or changed.
gefärbt
Nach dem Friseurbesuch sind ihre Haare dunkelrot gefärbt.
After the visit to the hairdresser, her hair is dyed dark red.
bunt
Am Wochenende schmücken wir den Raum mit bunten Luftballons.
At the weekend, we decorate the room with colorful balloons.
In real life
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