gelblich
yellowish
Having a slightly yellow color or a color tending toward yellow.
EXAMPLE
Die Blätter des Baumes bekamen im Herbst eine gelbliche Färbung.
The leaves of the tree took on a yellowish color in autumn.
gelblich
yellowish
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word formation with -lich
The ending '-lich' weakens the color and means 'a little' or '-ish' in English. 'Gelblich' (yellowish) is therefore not intensely yellow, but only has a slight yellow tone.
EXAMPLE
Das alte Foto hatte einen gelblichen Schimmer.
The old photo had a yellowish shimmer.
Context: discoloration
'Gelblich' (yellowish) is often used to describe an unwanted or unclear discoloration, for example with old papers, teeth, or as a symptom of an illness.
EXAMPLE
Wenn die Haut des Babys gelblich wird, sollten Sie zum Arzt gehen.
If the baby's skin becomes yellowish, you should see a doctor.
Typical collocations
Common nouns described with 'gelblich' (yellowish) are 'Licht' (light), 'Flüssigkeit' (liquid), 'Schleim' (mucus), or 'Flecken' (spots/stains).
EXAMPLE
Durch das Fenster fiel nur ein gelbliches Licht.
Only a yellowish light fell through the window.
Compare with
gelblich vs gelb
yellow
Both words describe a yellow color. Gelb refers directly and clearly to the color, while gelblich means a slight color or a color tending toward yellow. If something is clearly yellow, gelb is appropriate; if the color is only partly yellow, use gelblich.
gelblich
Die alte Banane ist nur noch gelblich.
The old banana is only yellowish now.
gelb
Die reife Banane ist leuchtend gelb.
The ripe banana is bright yellow.
In real life
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