01
roh
raw
Describes food that has not been cooked, fried, or otherwise prepared with heat.
example
Für Sushi wird roher Fisch verwendet.
Raw fish is used for sushi.
roh
raw
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Typical collocations: food
In connection with food, 'roh' (raw) describes the uncooked state. Typical combinations are 'rohes Fleisch' (raw meat), 'rohes Gemüse' (raw vegetables), or 'rohe Eier' (raw eggs).
EXAMPLE
Manche Leute essen gerne rohes Sauerkraut.
Some people like eating raw sauerkraut.
Typical collocations: materials
When it comes to materials, 'roh' (raw) means that they have not yet been processed or refined. For example, people speak of 'Rohöl' (crude oil), 'Rohdaten' (raw data), or a 'Rohdiamant' (rough diamond).
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Rohmaterial wird in der Fabrik das Endprodukt hergestellt.
The final product is made from the raw material in the factory.
Figurative meaning: behavior
In a figurative sense, 'roh' (brutal/crude) describes brutal and ruthless behavior. Common expressions are 'rohe Gewalt' (brute force) or 'ein roher Ton' (a crude tone).
EXAMPLE
Der Täter ging mit roher Gewalt vor.
The perpetrator acted with brute force.
Figurative meaning: unfinished
'Roh' (rough/unfinished) can also mean that something is not yet finished or fully developed. In that case, people speak of a 'roher Entwurf' (rough draft), a 'rohe Fassung' (rough version), or a 'Rohbau' (shell construction).
EXAMPLE
Der Autor schickte seinem Lektor erst einmal nur eine rohe Fassung des Romans.
At first, the author sent his editor only a rough version of the novel.
Compare with
roh vs gar
at all / done
'gar' and 'roh' are direct opposites when talking about food. 'gar' means that a food is done through boiling, frying, or baking and is no longer raw. 'roh' means that it has not yet been prepared with heat. The difference is especially important with meat, fish, eggs, or vegetables. For example, you might ask whether the potatoes are already 'gar', or say that the meat is still 'roh' inside.
roh
Das Hähnchen ist innen noch roh und muss zurück in die Pfanne.
The chicken is still raw inside and needs to go back into the pan.
gar
Die Kartoffeln sind noch nicht gar, deshalb bleiben sie noch fünf Minuten im Topf.
The potatoes are not done yet, so they will stay in the pot for another five minutes.
In real life
Loading video examples...