das  Blau

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/blaʊ/

🔵 What does "das Blau" mean?

The noun "das Blau" primarily refers to the color blue itself, as an abstract concept or a specific shade.

• The Color: It denotes the hue between green and violet in the visible light spectrum. Example: Das tiefe Blau des Ozeans ist faszinierend (The deep blue of the ocean is fascinating).
• The State (colloquial): In phrases like "im Blau sein", it can also refer to the state of being drunk (derived from the adjective "blau sein" = to be drunk). Example: Nach der Feier war er redlich im Blau (He was properly drunk after the party). ⚠️ This meaning is less common for the noun itself; the adjective "blau" is more frequent in this context.
• Something Blue: Sometimes it's used generally for something that is blue. Example: Gib mir mal das Blau da drüben (Give me that blue thing over there).

It is a nominalized adjective (from "blau" = blue).

🧐 Grammar of "das Blau"

"Das Blau" is a neuter noun. It's mostly used in the singular, as it refers to a color or a state. The plural ("die Blaus") is rare and usually refers to different shades of blue.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - Rare

📝 Examples

1. Ich mag das Blau des Himmels an einem klaren Tag.
   (I like the blue of the sky on a clear day.)
2. Das Logo verwendet verschiedene Blaus. (rare: different shades of blue)
   (The logo uses different blues / shades of blue.)
3. Er verschwand ins Blaue hinein.
   (He disappeared into the blue / vanished without a trace / set off without a specific destination.)

💡 How to use "das Blau"?

• Describing the Color: The most common use is to name the color. "Das Blau ihrer Augen war unglaublich" (The blue of her eyes was incredible).
• Abstract Concepts: It can also stand for concepts associated with blue, like vastness, coldness, or sometimes melancholy.
• Idioms:
  • "Ins Blaue fahren/reden/planen": To travel/talk/plan without a specific destination or plan; randomly.
  • "Sein blaues Wunder erleben": To get a nasty surprise.
  • "Blau machen": (Colloquial) To skip work or school, often without a good reason. (Here "blau" refers to the adjective).
  • "Blau sein": (Colloquial) To be drunk. (Also uses the adjective "blau").
• Comparison with the adjective "blau": While "das Blau" is the noun (the color, the state), the adjective "blau" describes a quality (ein blauer Himmel - a blue sky, er ist blau - he is drunk/blue).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Blau"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of das Meer (the sea) or das Himmelszelt (the firmament/canopy of heaven). Both are often blue and neuter in German ("das"). This helps remember das Blau.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine diving into deep, cool water – everything around you is das Blau of the ocean. This visual links the color to the word. Or think of feeling 'blue' (sad), which is an abstract feeling, often associated with neuter 'das' words for concepts.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• blau (adjective): Describes a quality, not the color itself as a noun. (Der Himmel ist blau - The sky is blue.)
• die Bläue: A more poetic term for the color blue, often used for the sky or the sea.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Schlümpfe nie Drogen?
... Weil sie schon blau sind!

Why do Smurfs never take drugs?
... Because they are already blue! (Note: "blau sein" means both "to be blue" and "to be drunk" in German)

✍️ Poem about "das Blau"

Das Blau so tief, wie Meeresgrund,
Das Blau des Himmels, weit und rund.
Mal sanft und hell, mal dunkel, kühl,
Ein Farbenmeer, ein Farbgefühl.
Von Jeans bis Tinte, überall,
Begleitet uns sein Widerhall.

--- English Translation ---

The Blue so deep, like ocean ground,
The Blue of heaven, vast and round.
Sometimes soft and light, sometimes dark, cool,
A sea of colors, a color-mood.
From jeans to ink, everywhere,
Its echo accompanies us there.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin die Farbe von Himmel und Meer,
Manchmal bin ich betrunken, das fällt mir nicht schwer.
Als Substantiv braucht man "das" vor mir, das ist klar.
Welche Farbe bin ich wunderbar?

--- English Translation ---

I am the color of sky and sea,
Sometimes I'm drunk, that's easy for me.
As a noun, you need "das" before me, that's clear.
What wonderful color am I, my dear?

Solution: das Blau (the blue)

💡 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "blau" comes from the Old High German "blao" and has Germanic roots, likely meaning "shining" or "gleaming".
• Symbolism: Blue is often associated with tranquility, harmony, coldness, vastness, loyalty, but also melancholy ('the blues').
• "Blaue Blume" (Blue Flower): A central symbol of German Romanticism, representing longing, love, and the pursuit of the infinite.