rot
red
Having the color of blood, ripe cherries, or fire.
EXAMPLE
Zum Geburtstag hat sie ein wunderschönes rotes Fahrrad bekommen.
For her birthday, she got a beautiful red bicycle.
rot
red
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Meanings
rot werden
to turn red
To become red in the face, usually from embarrassment, shame, anger, or exertion.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde rot, als er vor der ganzen Klasse sprechen musste.
He turned red when he had to speak in front of the whole class.
rot
red light
The light signal at a traffic light that means "stop."
EXAMPLE
Als die Ampel auf Rot sprang, bremste der Fahrer abrupt.
When the traffic light turned red, the driver braked abruptly.
rote Zahlen schreiben
to be in the red
An expression that means to make a financial loss or to be in debt.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Krise schreibt die Firma schon seit einem Jahr rote Zahlen.
Because of the crisis, the company has been in the red for a year now.
rot
red
Politically left-wing; associated with socialism or communism.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Stadt regiert seit Jahrzehnten eine rote Mehrheit.
A red majority has governed in this city for decades.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The combination 'rot werden' (to turn red) is a fixed expression and means that someone turns red in the face. This often happens from embarrassment, shame, or anger.
EXAMPLE
Immer wenn sie ein Kompliment bekommt, wird sie rot.
Whenever she gets a compliment, she turns red.
Used as a noun
In the context of traffic lights, 'rot' (red) is often used like a noun and capitalized. The fixed expressions are 'bei Rot anhalten' (to stop at a red light) or 'über Rot fahren' (to run a red light).
EXAMPLE
Es ist sehr gefährlich, bei Rot über die Ampel zu fahren.
It is very dangerous to go through a traffic light on red.
Financial meaning
The expression 'rote Zahlen schreiben' (to be in the red) means that a company is making losses. The color red here symbolizes a negative result or debt.
EXAMPLE
Nach einem schwierigen Jahr schreibt die Firma leider rote Zahlen.
After a difficult year, the company is unfortunately in the red.
Political meaning
The color 'rot' (red) is often used in politics as a symbol for left-wing, socialist, or social-democratic parties and ideas.
EXAMPLE
Bei der letzten Wahl hat die rote Partei die meisten Stimmen erhalten.
In the last election, the red party received the most votes.
The common thread
Another important expression is 'der rote Faden' (the common thread). It symbolizes a central theme or continuous structure in a story, presentation, or plan.
EXAMPLE
Der rote Faden in seinem Vortrag war die Bedeutung von Teamarbeit.
The common thread in his presentation was the importance of teamwork.
Compare with
rot vs links
left
links is the general term for a political orientation that supports social equality and state intervention. rot also describes a left-wing orientation, but particularly emphasizes its connection with socialism or communism.
rot
Die kommunistische Partei vertritt eine klar rote Politik.
The communist party clearly advocates a red political agenda.
links
Die neue Partei vertritt eine klar linke Politik.
The new party advocates a clearly left-wing policy.
In real life
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