01
lila
purple
Having the color between red and blue; a light violet shade. The adjective 'lila' is usually not declined.
example
Sie trägt heute ein lila Kleid und passende Schuhe.
She is wearing a purple dress and matching shoes today.
lila
purple
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Meanings
Usage tips
No declension
The color adjective 'lila' (purple) is normally not declined when it stands before a noun. It keeps its basic form, regardless of the noun's gender, case, or number.
EXAMPLE
Er kaufte einen lila Regenschirm.
He bought a purple umbrella.
Use as a noun
'Lila' (purple) can also be used as a noun to refer to the color itself. In this case, it is neuter and capitalized: 'das Lila' (the purple).
EXAMPLE
Das Lila dieses Himmels ist wunderschön.
The purple of this sky is beautiful.
Register and style
Although you sometimes hear the declined form 'lilaner' or 'lilanes', the unchanged form 'lila' is considered correct in standard German and stylistically better. So with 'lila' (purple), you will never make a mistake.
EXAMPLE
Ihr lila Schal passte perfekt zu ihrer Jacke.
Her purple scarf matched her jacket perfectly.
Compare with
lila vs rosa
pink
'rosa' and 'lila' are both color words and can be confused with light colors. 'rosa' lies between red and white and often looks light red or pink. 'lila' lies between red and blue and looks violet or purple. If a color looks more like red mixed with white, you say 'rosa'. If you can see a clear blue component, 'lila' fits better. Also important: 'lila' usually stays unchanged, for example 'ein lila Kleid' (a purple dress).
lila
Im Kinderzimmer steht ein lila Stuhl neben dem Fenster.
In the children's room, there is a purple chair next to the window.
rosa
Julia trägt heute eine rosa Bluse zur Arbeit.
Julia is wearing a pink blouse to work today.
In real life
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