Why does the noun Schwarz have the article das?

Colors used as nouns are neuter.

Examples

das Rot (the red), das Blau (the blue), das Grün (the green), das Gelb (the yellow), das Schwarz (the black), das Weiß (the white)

Declension table for German noun Schwarz

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Schwarzein Schwarzkein Schwarz
Akkusativdas Schwarzein Schwarzkein Schwarz
Dativdem Schwarzeinem Schwarzkeinem Schwarz
Genitivdes Schwarzeseines Schwarzeskeines Schwarzes

Examples in context

Real sentences using Schwarz in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das tiefe Schwarz ist sehr dunkel.The deep black is very dark.
Ein dunkeles Schwarz bedeckt den Tisch.A dark black covers the table.
Kein helles Schwarz ist hier sichtbar.No bright black is visible here.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das tiefe Schwarz dort.I see the deep black there.
Er mag ein dunkeles Schwarz sehr.He likes a dark black very much.
Ich habe kein helles Schwarz gekauft.I haven't bought any bright black.
Dativ
Er malt auf dem tiefen Schwarz.He paints on the deep black.
Ich denke an einem dunkeles Schwarz.I am thinking of a dark black.
Sie arbeitet mit keinem hellen Schwarz.She works with no bright black.
Genitiv
Die Tiefe des tiefen Schwarzes ist beeindruckend.The depth of the deep black is impressive.
Der Glanz eines eines dunkelen Schwarzes fehlt.The shine of a dark black is missing.
Ich sehe die Schönheit keines keines hellen Schwarzes.I see the beauty of no bright black.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Schwarz?

It is das Schwarz. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Schwarz is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Schwarz?

The noun Schwarz is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does das Schwarz mean in English?

The German word das Schwarz translates to “black” in English.

How do you decline das Schwarz?

Like all German nouns, Schwarz changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Schwarz
  • Akkusativ: das Schwarz
  • Dativ: dem Schwarz
  • Genitiv: des Schwarzes

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.