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schwarz
black
The darkest color, the color of coal or the night. The opposite of white.
example
Zum Interview trug er einen schwarzen Anzug.
He wore a black suit to the interview.
schwarz
black
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Colloquial: illegal
In colloquial language, 'schwarz' (black/illegal) often means 'illegal' or 'without official registration'. It is often combined with verbs such as 'arbeiten' (to work), 'fahren' (to ride/drive), or 'sehen' (to watch).
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine Wohnung schwarz untervermietet.
He illegally sublet his apartment.
Figurative: pessimistic
Figuratively, 'schwarz' (black/dark) can stand for something negative, pessimistic, or ominous. This meaning appears in many fixed expressions.
EXAMPLE
Das war ein schwarzer Tag für den Verein.
That was a dark day for the club.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'etwas schwarz auf weiß haben' (to have something in black and white) means that you have written, official proof of something. The form is always the same.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte den Vertrag schwarz auf weiß sehen, bevor ich unterschreibe.
I want to see the contract in black and white before I sign.
As a noun for people
The adjective 'schwarz' (black) can be used as a noun to refer to a person ('der/die Schwarze' — the Black man/woman). It is then declined like a noun and capitalized.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung zeigt Werke von Schwarzen Künstlerinnen und Künstlern.
The exhibition shows works by Black artists.
Political meaning
In German and Austrian politics, the color 'schwarz' (black) traditionally stands for the conservative, Christian democratic parties (CDU/CSU and ÖVP).
EXAMPLE
Bei der Wahl hat die schwarze Partei die meisten Stimmen bekommen.
In the election, the conservative party received the most votes.
Word family
The verb 'schwärzen' is derived from 'schwarz' (black). It literally means 'to make something black' or, figuratively, 'to damage someone's reputation'.
EXAMPLE
Der Rauch des Feuers schwärzte die Hauswand.
The smoke from the fire blackened the wall of the house.
Compare with
schwarz vs rot
red
'schwarz' and 'rot' are both color words and can therefore easily appear in the same contexts, for example with clothing, objects, or signs. As colors, they are clearly different: 'schwarz' is very dark, while 'rot' is the color of blood or fire. In political contexts, both can also stand for different political directions: in Germany and Austria, 'schwarz' often stands for conservative parties, while 'rot' stands for left-wing parties. They can be confused mainly because both can have not only color meanings, but also political meanings. So pay attention to the context: is it about a color or about politics?
schwarz
Zum Termin trägt Herr Schneider einen schwarzen Anzug.
Mr. Schneider is wearing a black suit to the appointment.
rot
An der Ampel ist rot, deshalb bleiben die Kinder stehen.
The traffic light is red, so the children stop.
In real life
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