das  Rotlicht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁoːtlɪçt/

🚦 What Exactly is 'das Rotlicht'?

The German word das Rotlicht has two main meanings:

1. The traffic light when it shows red: This is the most common meaning. It signals vehicles and pedestrians that they must stop. Example: Bei Rotlicht musst du stehen bleiben. (You have to stop at a red light.)

2. The red-light district or milieu: This refers to city districts or areas known for prostitution and related establishments. This meaning is more colloquial and can have negative connotations. Example: Er arbeitet als Türsteher im Rotlicht. (He works as a bouncer in the red-light district.) ⚠️ This meaning should be used with caution as it can be stigmatizing.

It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

🧐 Grammar of 'das Rotlicht' in Detail

The noun Rotlicht is neuter and takes the article das. It is declined as follows:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural is die Rotlichter. It is primarily used for the meaning "red traffic light".

In the meaning "red-light district", the plural is rarely used; people tend to speak of "Rotlichtvierteln" (red-light quarters) or "Rotlichtbezirken" (red-light districts).

Example Sentences

• Das Rotlicht leuchtete hell in der Nacht. (The red light shone brightly in the night.) - Traffic light
• Er hat das Rotlicht überfahren und wurde geblitzt. (He ran the red light and got caught by a speed camera.) - Traffic light
• Die Polizei führte eine Razzia im Rotlicht durch. (The police conducted a raid in the red-light district.) - Milieu
• Viele Städte versuchen, das Rotlicht aus dem Zentrum zu verdrängen. (Many cities try to push the red-light district out of the city center.) - Milieu

💡 How to Use 'das Rotlicht'?

The use of das Rotlicht strongly depends on the context:

• In traffic: Here, the meaning is clearly the red traffic light. One talks about running a red light (über das Rotlicht fahren), stopping at a red light (bei Rotlicht halten), or waiting for the red light (auf das Rotlicht warten).
• In the context of urban planning or social discussions: Here, 'das Rotlicht' refers to the prostitution milieu. Terms like Rotlichtviertel (red-light quarter), Rotlichtbezirk (red-light district), or Rotlichtmilieu are common. It's important to know that this usage is often judgmental.
• Photography/Film: Rarely, 'Rotlicht' can also refer to the red light in a darkroom, although the term Dunkelkammerleuchte (darkroom lamp) is more common here.

Risk of confusion: The word is clearly defined. The only difficulty lies in distinguishing between the two main meanings, which is usually achieved through context.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Rotlicht'

Mnemonic for the Article (das):

Think of traffic signals or general lights in German often being neuter: das Licht (the light), das Signal (the signal). So, the red light is also das Rotlicht.

Mnemonic for the Meanings:

Picture a RED STOP sign (traffic light 🚦) and imagine a district where things only happen when the usual city 'stops' (at night), often associated with RED lanterns 🏮 (red-light district). Both linked by RED and the idea of stopping/starting. That's das Rotlicht.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but Different Words:

• Blaulicht: The blue flashing light of police, fire brigade, ambulance.
• Scheinwerferlicht: The light from car headlights.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum wurde der Geist an der Ampel geblitzt?

Er ist bei Rotlicht durch die Wand gefahren! 👻🚦

--- Translation ---

Why did the ghost get flashed by the traffic camera?

He went through the wall at a red light!

📜 Poem about 'das Rotlicht'

An der Kreuzung, hell und grell,
steht das Rotlicht, warte schnell!
Autos bremsen, Fußgänger gehn,
erst bei Grün darfst weiter drehn.

Doch spricht man leis' von diesem Licht,
meint man oft ein and'res G'sicht.
Ein Viertel bunt, bei Nacht erwacht,
auch das wird "Rotlicht" oft genannt, gib Acht.

--- Translation ---

At the crossing, bright and glaring,
stands the red light, wait, be sparing!
Cars are braking, pedestrians walk,
only at green may you resume your stalk.

But if one speaks softly of this light,
often another face is in sight.
A district colourful, awake at night,
that too is often called "Rotlicht", take fright (be careful).

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe einen Kopf, doch kann nicht denken.
Ich leuchte rot, um Fahrt zu lenken.
Manchmal mein Name auch ein Viertel ziert,
wo spät die Nacht zum Tag erst wird.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Rotlicht

--- Translation ---

I have a head, but cannot think.
I shine red, to guide traffic's brink.
Sometimes my name adorns a quarter, too,
where late the night turns into day anew.

What am I?

Solution: Das Rotlicht (The red light)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Rotlicht is a compound noun, composed of:

• rot (adjective for the colour red)
• das Licht (noun for light)

Trivia: The colour red is internationally used in traffic as a warning and stop signal. The association of the colour red with the red-light district historically stems from red lanterns used to signal brothels.