gelb
yellow
Describes the color of things like lemons, the sun, or ripe bananas.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst werden die Blätter der Bäume oft gelb und rot.
In autumn, the leaves of the trees often turn yellow and red.
gelb
yellow
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Meanings
gelb
yellow / pale
Describes a pale, unhealthy facial color caused by illness or strong negative feelings such as envy.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde gelb vor Neid, als sein Kollege die Beförderung bekam.
He turned yellow with envy when his colleague got the promotion.
Usage tips
Adverbial use
The adjective 'gelb' (yellow) can also be used like an adverb to describe the result of an action. It then remains unchanged at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben die Wände im Kinderzimmer gelb gestrichen.
We painted the walls in the children's room yellow.
Signal color
The color yellow is often used as a signal or warning color. Well-known examples are the yellow traffic light in road traffic or the yellow card in sports.
EXAMPLE
Der Schiedsrichter zeigte dem Spieler die Gelbe Karte.
The referee showed the player the yellow card.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning 'blass' (pale) or 'krank' (sick) by the fact that 'gelb' (yellow) refers to a person's face or is connected with a strong emotion such as envy or anger.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Nacht sah sie ganz gelb im Gesicht aus.
After the long night, she looked quite yellow in the face.
Fixed expression
In the figurative meaning, 'gelb' (yellow) is often used in the fixed expression 'gelb vor Neid werden' (to turn yellow with envy). It describes someone being very envious.
EXAMPLE
Als er das neue Auto seines Nachbarn sah, wurde er blass und gelb vor Neid.
When he saw his neighbor's new car, he turned pale and yellow with envy.
Compare with
gelb vs blond
blond
Both words can describe a light yellowish color. When talking about hair, blond is the neutral and usual term, while gelb often suggests a striking, artificial, or unflattering shade. For a normal light hair color, blond is therefore appropriate; gelb emphasizes the unusual effect.
gelb
Nach dem Färben wirkte ihr Haar unnatürlich gelb.
After being dyed, her hair looked unnaturally yellow.
blond
Nach dem Färben wirkte ihr Haar hellblond und natürlich.
After being dyed, her hair looked light blonde and natural.
In real life
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