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A2 adjective #7,500 más común 9 min de lectura

rau

Top 7,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos rau en 30 segundos

Explicación rau in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know the most basic physical meaning of 'rau'. Think about how things feel when you touch them. If a surface is not smooth like glass or paper, but instead feels scratchy like a stone or a cat's tongue, it is 'rau'. You will most often use it to describe your hands in winter ('meine Hände sind rau') or a piece of wood. It is a simple adjective that you can use with 'ist' or 'sind'. At this stage, don't worry about the metaphorical meanings. Just focus on the physical sensation of touch. For example, if you are learning colors and textures, 'rau' is the opposite of 'glatt' (smooth). You might hear it in a classroom when describing objects. It is also useful for basic health: if your throat hurts and feels scratchy, you can say 'mein Hals ist rau'. This is a very common way to describe the beginning of a sore throat before it becomes really painful.

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At the A2 level, you start using 'rau' in more varied contexts, especially weather and everyday descriptions. You should be able to describe the weather as 'rau', meaning it is windy, cold, and a bit unpleasant. This is very common in German-speaking countries during autumn and winter. You will also use it to describe voices. If someone has a cold, their voice might sound 'rau'. You should also begin to notice the adjective endings. For example, 'ein rauer Wind' (masculine) or 'raue Haut' (feminine). At this level, you might encounter the word in simple stories or news reports about the weather. You should also be aware of the phrase 'in rauen Mengen', which is a common way to say 'a lot of' or 'in huge amounts'. Even if you don't use it yourself yet, recognizing it is important for reaching the next level of fluency.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'rau' metaphorically. This includes describing people's manners or the atmosphere of a place. 'Raue Sitten' (rough customs) is a key phrase here, describing an environment where people are direct or perhaps a bit impolite. You should also understand the nuance of 'rau' in literature or more descriptive writing. For instance, 'die raue Wirklichkeit' (the harsh reality) is a common expression. You are expected to handle the declension perfectly in all cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive). You might also start to see 'rau' used in technical contexts, like in DIY instructions or gardening tips, where 'eine raue Oberfläche' is necessary for paint to stick. Your vocabulary should now include synonyms like 'grob' or 'heiser' and you should know when to choose 'rau' over them.

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At the B2 level, 'rau' becomes a tool for more sophisticated description. You can use it to describe the 'timbre' of a voice or the specific aesthetic of a landscape. You might discuss the 'raue Schönheit' (rugged beauty) of the Scottish Highlands or the German coast. In business or social discussions, you can use 'rau' to describe a 'rauer Ton' (harsh tone) in a debate or negotiation. You should also be aware of the historical spelling 'rauh' and why it changed. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'rau' and 'roh' with 100% accuracy, as confusing them can lead to significant misunderstandings. You might also encounter the word in more idiomatic expressions and be able to use them naturally in conversation to sound more like a native speaker.

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At the C1 level, you explore the stylistic and emotional depths of 'rau'. You might use it in literary analysis to describe the 'raue Prosa' (gritty prose) of an author or the 'raue Emotionalität' (raw emotionality) of a performance. You understand that 'rau' can imply authenticity and lack of pretension. In a professional context, you might use it to describe 'raue Marktbedingungen' (harsh market conditions). You can use the word to create atmosphere in your own writing, choosing it specifically for its sensory associations. You are also familiar with more obscure collocations and can differentiate 'rau' from very similar words like 'barsch', 'schroff', or 'herb' based on the specific social or physical context. Your use of 'rau' contributes to a nuanced and precise command of the German language.

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At the C2 level, 'rau' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You are aware of its etymological roots and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You might use it in highly specialized contexts, such as describing the specific grain of a historical parchment or the acoustic properties of a concert hall. You can play with the word's connotations in creative writing or high-level rhetoric. You understand the subtle difference between 'raue Sitten' in a historical context versus a modern one. You are also comfortable with the nominalized form 'das Raue' and can use it abstractly in philosophical or aesthetic discussions. At this level, 'rau' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile instrument in your linguistic toolkit, used to evoke specific textures, sounds, and atmospheres with effortless accuracy.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

rau en 30 segundos

Rau means rough or coarse, describing surfaces like sandpaper or dry skin.
It also describes a hoarse voice or harsh, cold weather conditions.
Metaphorically, it refers to direct, unrefined social manners or huge quantities.
It is the opposite of 'glatt' (smooth) and was formerly spelled 'rauh'.

The German adjective rau is a versatile word that primarily describes texture, but extends its reach into acoustics, meteorology, and social behavior. At its core, it refers to something that is not smooth—think of the tactile sensation of sandpaper, the bark of an oak tree, or the skin on your hands after a long winter day without lotion. For English speakers, it is a direct cognate and functional equivalent of the word 'rough'. However, understanding its nuances requires looking at how Germans perceive 'roughness' across different sensory domains. In a physical sense, it describes an uneven, coarse, or prickly surface that lacks the polish or smoothness of something finished. When you touch a stone wall or a piece of unpolished wood, you are experiencing something rau.

Tactile Texture: Used for surfaces like sandpaper (Schmirgelpapier), dry skin (trockene Haut), or untreated wood (unbehandeltes Holz).
Acoustic Quality: Describes a voice that is hoarse, gravelly, or deep, often due to illness, smoking, or natural timbre.
Meteorological Context: Refers to harsh, cold, or stormy weather conditions, particularly common in Northern Germany or mountainous regions.

Beyond the physical, rau is used to describe human interaction and environments. If a workplace has 'raue Sitten' (rough customs), it implies a lack of politeness, perhaps a more direct, blunt, or even slightly aggressive way of communicating. This isn't necessarily negative; it often describes 'blue-collar' environments or maritime settings where efficiency and directness are valued over pleasantries. Interestingly, the word also appears in the idiomatic expression 'in rauen Mengen', which means 'in huge quantities' or 'in abundance', suggesting a pile of goods so large it hasn't been neatly sorted or smoothed out.

Nach der Gartenarbeit waren meine Hände sehr rau.

Historically, the word was spelled 'rauh'. However, following the German orthography reform of 1996, the silent 'h' was dropped to simplify the spelling, aligning it with its pronunciation and other similar adjectives. While you might still see 'rauh' in older books or on vintage signs, 'rau' is the only correct modern spelling. When using it, remember that it is a standard adjective that follows regular declension patterns, though the 'u' remains stable throughout its forms (rauer, raue, raues).

Using rau correctly involves mastering its declension and understanding its various metaphorical applications. Because it is a monosyllabic adjective ending in a vowel sound (phonetically), it takes standard endings. For example, in the nominative masculine, it becomes 'ein rauer Wind' (a rough wind). In the feminine, 'eine raue Stimme' (a rough voice). It is important to distinguish between its attributive use (before a noun) and its predicative use (after a verb like 'sein').

Attributive Use: Der raue Stein verletzte meine Haut. (The rough stone injured my skin.)
Predicative Use: Die Oberfläche des Tisches fühlt sich rau an. (The surface of the table feels rough.)

When describing weather, rau often implies a combination of cold, wind, and perhaps moisture. It is the kind of weather that chaps the lips and makes you want to pull your coat tighter. 'Ein raues Klima' isn't just unpleasant; it suggests a geographical reality, like the climate of the North Sea coast or the high Alps. In these contexts, 'rau' carries a sense of natural, untamed power.

Das raue Klima im Norden ist nichts für jeden.

In social contexts, the word often appears in the plural: 'raue Sitten'. This refers to a lack of refinement or a harsh social environment. If you are describing a 'rough' neighborhood or a workplace where people yell at each other, this is the term to use. However, it can also be used for a voice. 'Eine raue Stimme' could be the result of a cold (heiser), but it could also be a permanent characteristic, like a 'gravelly' voice in English. Note that 'rau' is also used for 'chapped' skin, specifically 'raue Lippen' (chapped lips).

Er hat eine raue Kehle vom vielen Schreien.

You will encounter rau in a variety of real-world settings, from the hardware store to the doctor's office. In a 'Baumarkt' (hardware store), you might hear a salesperson describing the 'raue Oberfläche' of a particular type of tile or wood. They might contrast it with 'glatt' (smooth) or 'poliert' (polished). This is perhaps the most literal and common use of the word in daily commerce. If you are buying winter gear, a salesperson might mention that a jacket is designed for 'raue Bedingungen' (rough conditions), meaning it can withstand wind and abrasion.

In the Kitchen: Waiters or chefs might use it to describe the texture of a rustic bread crust or a specific type of sea salt.
In Healthcare: A doctor or pharmacist will often ask if you have a 'rauer Hals' (scratchy throat) or 'raue Stellen' on your skin when diagnosing eczema or dryness.

The word is also a staple in German literature and journalism when describing character and atmosphere. A detective in a crime novel (Krimi) might have a 'raue Schale' (rough exterior) but a 'weicher Kern' (soft heart). This is a classic German trope for the misunderstood hero or the grumpy but kind grandfather. In the news, you might hear about the 'raue Ton' (rough tone) in political debates, suggesting that the level of discourse has become uncivil or aggressive.

In der Werft herrscht ein rauer Ton unter den Arbeitern.

Musically, 'rau' is often used as a compliment in genres like rock, blues, or soul. A singer with a 'raue Stimme' is often perceived as authentic and emotional. Think of the German singer Herbert Grönemeyer, whose voice is frequently described as 'rau und markant' (rough and distinctive). In this context, the word conveys soulfulness rather than a lack of skill.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with rau is confusing it with the word roh. While they sound somewhat similar and both can translate to 'raw' in certain English contexts, they are not interchangeable in German. Roh specifically refers to things that are uncooked (roh essen) or unprocessed (Rohstoffe - raw materials). You would never call an unpolished stone 'roh' unless you were talking about it as a raw material for industry. For the texture, you must use rau.

Rau vs. Roh: 'Rau' = rough texture/voice/weather. 'Roh' = uncooked/unprocessed/brutal.
Spelling Errors: Using the old spelling 'rauh'. While understandable, it is technically incorrect in modern standard German.

Another common error is using 'rau' when 'grob' would be more appropriate. While 'rau' describes the texture of a surface, grob often describes the size of particles or the lack of detail. For example, 'grober Sand' (coarse sand) refers to the large grains, whereas 'rauer Sand' would sound a bit odd. However, a 'raue Oberfläche' caused by sand would be correct. Similarly, 'grob' is used for 'rude' behavior in a more active sense, while 'raue Sitten' is more about the general atmosphere.

Falsch: Ich esse das Fleisch rau. (Correct: roh)

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the declension of 'rau' when it functions as a noun-like adjective (nominalized adjective). For example, 'das Raue' (the rough part/quality). Remember that when you turn an adjective into a noun, it follows the adjective declension rules but starts with a capital letter. 'Er liebt das Raue an der Natur' (He loves the roughness of nature).

German offers several alternatives to rau depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. If you are talking about a physical surface that is not just rough but specifically uneven or bumpy, uneben is the better choice. If a surface is so rough it's jagged or sharp, you might use zackig or scharfkanitg. For describing a voice, heiser (hoarse) is very common if the roughness is due to a cold, whereas belegt suggests there is phlegm involved.

Grob: Coarse or rude. Used for larger grains or lack of politeness. 'Ein grober Klotz' (a rude person).
Barsch: Harsh or gruff. Specifically used for a person's manner of speaking or behavior.
Herb: Tart, bitter, or austere. Often used for the taste of beer or a person's dry charm.

In a meteorological context, instead of 'raues Wetter', you might hear stürmisch (stormy), ungemütlich (uncomfortable/unpleasant), or hart (hard/severe). 'Rau' is unique because it combines the feeling of the wind with the physical sensation of the cold on the skin. For social behavior, ruppig is a great alternative if you want to describe someone who is being a bit physically rough or impatient, like a 'ruppiger Fußballspieler'.

Der Weg war sehr uneben und steinig.

When comparing rau to its antonyms, the most common is glatt (smooth/slippery). If you are sanding wood, you go from 'rau' to 'glatt'. If you are describing a person's character, the opposite of a 'raue Art' might be a 'sanfte Art' (gentle manner) or 'höfliche Sitten' (polite customs). Understanding these pairs helps solidify the meaning of 'rau' as a middle point between 'natural/untouched' and 'refined/processed'.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The original meaning of 'rau' was related to hairiness. This is why we still have the word 'Rauhaardackel' (wire-haired dachshund) which literally means 'rough-haired'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /raʊ/

US /raʊ/

Monosyllabic word; the stress is on the entire syllable.

Rima con

blau genau grau schau Stau Tau Frau Bau

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like 'raw' in English (long 'o' sound).
Adding a 'w' sound at the end like 'rauw'.
Failing to uvularize the 'r' at the start.
Confusing the spelling with the English 'rough'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate 'rough'.

Escritura 3/5

Spelling change (dropping the 'h') can be tricky for those using older materials.

Expresión oral 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though the 'r' needs practice.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound, easily heard in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

glatt Haut Wetter Stimme Stein

Aprende después

grob heiser uneben barsch ruppig

Avanzado

hohnlachen schroff herb unverfälscht rigoros

Gramática que debes saber

Adjective Declension

ein rauer Wind (masc nom), eine raue See (fem nom), ein raues Klima (neut nom)

Nominalized Adjectives

Das Raue an diesem Stoff stört mich.

Separable Verbs with Adjectives

Ich muss die Oberfläche zuerst anrauen.

Comparatives

Dieser Stein ist rauer als der andere.

Superlatives

Das ist die raueste Oberfläche, die ich je gefühlt habe.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Der Stein ist rau.

The stone is rough.

Predicative use with 'ist'.

Meine Hände sind im Winter oft rau.

My hands are often rough in winter.

Plural adjective usage.

Das Holz fühlt sich rau an.

The wood feels rough.

Used with the separable verb 'anfühlen'.

Hast du raue Haut?

Do you have rough skin?

Attributive use, feminine accusative.

Die Katze hat eine raue Zunge.

The cat has a rough tongue.

Feminine nominative.

Der Tisch ist nicht glatt, er ist rau.

The table is not smooth, it is rough.

Contrast with 'glatt'.

Mein Hals ist heute etwas rau.

My throat is a bit scratchy today.

Common medical expression.

Das Papier ist zu rau für diesen Stift.

The paper is too rough for this pen.

Adjective modifying a noun phrase.

Ein rauer Wind weht von der See.

A rough wind is blowing from the sea.

Masculine nominative ending -er.

Er hat eine sehr raue Stimme.

He has a very rough voice.

Feminine accusative.

Wir hatten gestern ein raues Wetter.

We had rough weather yesterday.

Neuter accusative.

Die Oberfläche der Wand ist rau.

The surface of the wall is rough.

Genitive construction 'der Wand'.

Ich brauche eine Creme für raue Lippen.

I need a cream for chapped lips.

Plural dative after 'für' (accusative).

In diesem Laden gibt es Spielzeug in rauen Mengen.

In this shop, there are toys in huge quantities.

Fixed idiom 'in rauen Mengen'.

Das raue Klima im Gebirge ist gesund.

The harsh climate in the mountains is healthy.

Neuter nominative with definite article.

Sein rauer Ton hat mich überrascht.

His rough tone surprised me.

Masculine nominative.

Auf dem Bau herrscht oft ein rauer Umgangston.

On construction sites, there is often a rough way of speaking.

Compound noun 'Umgangston'.

Die raue Schale verbirgt oft einen weichen Kern.

The rough exterior often hides a soft core.

Metaphorical usage.

Durch das raue Meer wurde mir schlecht.

I felt sick because of the rough sea.

Neuter accusative after 'durch'.

Man muss die raue Wand zuerst schleifen.

You have to sand the rough wall first.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

Die rauen Sitten in der Stadt waren neu für ihn.

The rough customs in the city were new to him.

Plural nominative.

Er sprach mit einer rauen, heiseren Stimme.

He spoke with a rough, hoarse voice.

Adjective listing.

Die raue Wirklichkeit holte sie schnell ein.

The harsh reality caught up with her quickly.

Abstract concept.

Das Handtuch ist nach dem Waschen ganz rau.

The towel is very rough after washing.

Adverbial 'ganz'.

Die raue Ästhetik des Industriedesigns gefällt mir.

I like the raw aesthetic of industrial design.

Genitive 'des Industriedesigns'.

Trotz der rauen Bedingungen arbeiteten sie weiter.

Despite the harsh conditions, they continued working.

Genitive after 'trotz'.

Sein Charakter ist ein wenig rau, aber ehrlich.

His character is a bit rough but honest.

Character description.

Die raue Oberfläche sorgt für mehr Reibung.

The rough surface provides more friction.

Technical context.

In rauen Nächten bleibt man lieber drinnen.

On rough nights, it's better to stay inside.

Plural dative.

Das raue Material lässt sich schwer verarbeiten.

The rough material is difficult to process.

Reflexive 'lässt sich'.

Eine raue Brise wehte uns entgegen.

A stiff breeze blew towards us.

Dative 'uns'.

Die Seele des Dichters war rau und zerbrechlich zugleich.

The poet's soul was rough and fragile at the same time.

Literary contrast.

Die raue Herzlichkeit der Bergbewohner ist legendär.

The rough cordiality of the mountain dwellers is legendary.

Nuanced adjective combination.

Sie bevorzugt die raue Unverfälschtheit der Natur.

She prefers the raw genuineness of nature.

Abstract noun 'Unverfälschtheit'.

Der Film besticht durch seine raue Bildsprache.

The film impresses with its gritty visual language.

Cinematic terminology.

Ein raues Erwachen folgte auf die euphorische Stimmung.

A rude awakening followed the euphoric mood.

Idiomatic 'raues Erwachen'.

Die rauen Kanten des Diamanten müssen noch geschliffen werden.

The rough edges of the diamond still need to be ground.

Passive voice 'müssen... werden'.

Er pflegt ein raues, fast schon rüdes Auftreten.

He maintains a rough, almost rude demeanor.

Adverbial 'fast schon'.

Das raue Gefüge der Gesellschaft droht zu zerbrechen.

The rough fabric of society is in danger of breaking.

Sociological metaphor.

Mit rauer Hand regierte er das kleine Fürstentum.

He ruled the small principality with a heavy hand.

Historical/political metaphor.

Die raue Textur des Pergaments zeugt von seinem Alter.

The rough texture of the parchment bears witness to its age.

Formal verb 'zeugt von'.

In der rauen Philologie jener Zeit gab es kaum Raum für Sentimentalität.

In the rigorous philology of that time, there was little room for sentimentality.

Academic context.

Das raue Pathos seiner Rede wirkte auf viele befremdlich.

The raw pathos of his speech seemed strange to many.

Rhetorical term 'Pathos'.

Sie suchte Zuflucht im Rauen, Fernab der Zivilisation.

She sought refuge in the wild, far from civilization.

Nominalized adjective 'im Rauen'.

Die raue Polyphonie des Chores war gewöhnungsbedürftig.

The raw polyphony of the choir took some getting used to.

Musical terminology.

Ein raues Naturell lässt sich nicht durch Erziehung glätten.

A rugged nature cannot be smoothed by education.

Philosophical statement.

Das raue Handwerk verlangt dem Körper alles ab.

The demanding craft takes everything out of the body.

Idiom 'alles abverlangen'.

Trotz seiner rauen Fassade war er ein Mann von tiefem Intellekt.

Despite his rough facade, he was a man of deep intellect.

Contrastive structure.

Colocaciones comunes

raue Oberfläche

raue Stimme

raues Klima

raue Sitten

raue Mengen

raue Hände

rauer Hals

raue See

rauer Ton

raue Wirklichkeit

Frases Comunes

In rauen Mengen

— In very large quantities. Used for things you have plenty of.

Wir haben Süßigkeiten in rauen Mengen gekauft.

Raue Schale, weicher Kern

— A tough exterior but a kind heart inside. A very common character description.

Mein Opa hat eine raue Schale, aber einen weichen Kern.

Ein rauer Wind weht

— Literally about weather, or metaphorically about a difficult social/political climate.

In der Firma weht jetzt ein rauer Wind.

Rau wie Schmirgelpapier

— As rough as sandpaper. A common simile.

Deine Wangen sind heute rau wie Schmirgelpapier.

Sich rau anfühlen

— To feel rough to the touch.

Die neue Decke fühlt sich noch etwas rau an.

Den rauen Alltag meistern

— To cope with the hardships of daily life.

Man muss lernen, den rauen Alltag zu meistern.

Raue Lippen haben

— To have chapped or dry lips.

Ich habe raue Lippen vom kalten Wind.

Mit rauer Hand

— To lead or act with strictness or harshness.

Der Kapitän führte das Schiff mit rauer Hand.

Ein raues Erwachen

— A rude awakening; a sudden realization of a harsh truth.

Das war ein raues Erwachen für die Investoren.

Raue Pfade beschreiten

— To take a difficult path or make hard choices.

Wir müssen raue Pfade beschreiten, um das Ziel zu erreichen.

Se confunde a menudo con

rau vs roh

Means raw/uncooked. 'Rau' is about texture/harshness.

rau vs grob

Means coarse/rude. Often overlaps but 'grob' refers more to grain size.

rau vs heiser

Specifically means hoarse due to medical reasons.

Modismos y expresiones

"In rauen Mengen"

— In abundance or huge amounts.

Es gab Freibier in rauen Mengen.

informal

"Raue Schale, weicher Kern"

— Tough exterior, kind heart.

Lass dich nicht abschrecken, er hat eine raue Schale, aber einen weichen Kern.

neutral

"Ein rauer Ton herrscht"

— The atmosphere is unfriendly or aggressive.

In der Politik herrscht oft ein rauer Ton.

neutral

"Mit rauer Stimme sprechen"

— To speak with a gravelly or hoarse voice.

Er sprach mit rauer Stimme am Telefon.

neutral

"Die raue See"

— Stormy or turbulent waters.

Die Fischer fürchten die raue See.

neutral

"Jemanden rau anfassen"

— To treat someone roughly or harshly.

Die Polizei fasste den Verdächtigen rau an.

informal

"Raue Sitten"

— Unrefined or harsh social behavior.

Auf dem Land herrschten damals noch raue Sitten.

neutral

"Ein rauer Geselle"

— A rough, unrefined man.

Er war ein rauer Geselle, aber treu.

informal/dated

"Das raue Ende"

— The difficult or harsh part of something.

Wir haben das raue Ende der Krise erreicht.

literary

"In rauen Nächten"

— During harsh, cold nights (often folklore related).

In rauen Nächten wandern die Geister.

literary

Fácil de confundir

rau vs roh

Similar sound and both translate to 'raw' in some English senses.

'Roh' is for food or unprocessed materials. 'Rau' is for texture, voice, or weather.

Das Fleisch ist roh, aber der Stein ist rau.

rau vs grob

Both mean rough/coarse.

'Grob' is for things made of big pieces (like salt) or being very rude. 'Rau' is more about the surface feel.

Grober Sand macht die Haut rau.

rau vs hart

Harsh weather can be 'rau' or 'hart'.

'Hart' is about physical hardness or extreme severity. 'Rau' is about the 'bite' of the wind or texture.

Ein harter Winter hat oft raue Winde.

rau vs schroff

Both can describe a person's manner.

'Schroff' is more about being dismissive or steep. 'Rau' is more about lack of polish.

Seine schroffe Ablehnung war sehr rau.

rau vs uneben

Both describe non-smooth surfaces.

'Uneben' means not flat (like a bumpy road). 'Rau' means scratchy (like sandpaper).

Die Straße ist uneben und der Asphalt ist rau.

Patrones de oraciones

Das ist [rau].

Das ist rau.

Ich habe [raue] [Nomen].

Ich habe raue Hände.

Wegen der [rauen] [Nomen]...

Wegen der rauen See...

Trotz der [rauen] [Nomen]...

Trotz der rauen Bedingungen...

Das [Raue] an [Sache] ist...

Das Raue an diesem Ort ist schön.

In seiner [rauen] [Art]...

In seiner rauen Art war er doch liebenswürdig.

Es gibt [Sache] in [rauen Mengen].

Es gibt Äpfel in rauen Mengen.

Ein [rauer] [Wind] weht.

Ein rauer Wind weht heute.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Rauheit (roughness)

Rauhigkeit (coarseness)

Rauhaardackel (wire-haired dachshund)

Verbos

anrauen (to roughen up)

aufrauen (to tease/nap fabric)

Adjetivos

raubeinig (rough-legged/gruff)

rauhhaarig (wire-haired)

Relacionado

roh

grob

uneben

heiser

hart

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High (Top 2000 words)

Errores comunes

Ich esse raues Fleisch. → Ich esse rohes Fleisch.
Use 'roh' for uncooked food, 'rau' for texture.
Das ist ein rauh Tag. → Das ist ein rauer Tag.
Adjectives before nouns need endings, and 'rauh' is the old spelling.
Meine Stimme ist rau (when you mean sick). → Ich bin heiser.
While 'rau' works, 'heiser' is more specific for illness.
Die Straße ist rau (when you mean bumpy). → Die Straße ist uneben.
'Rau' is about surface friction, 'uneben' is about being not flat.
In raue Mengen. → In rauen Mengen.
The idiom requires the dative plural ending '-en'.

Consejos

The Sandpaper Rule

Whenever you think of sandpaper, think of 'rau'. They both start with the same scratchy feeling.

Voice Quality

Use 'rau' for a gravelly voice (like a rock star) and 'heiser' for a sick voice (losing your voice).

Forget the H

Even if you see 'rauh' in old books, always write 'rau'. It's easier and correct!

Abundance

Use 'in rauen Mengen' when you want to emphasize that there is an overwhelming amount of something.

Regular Endings

Don't overthink the endings. 'Rau' is a very standard adjective. Rau, rauer, am rauesten.

Northern Charm

Remember that 'rau' is often a compliment in Northern Germany, implying honesty and strength.

Rau vs. Roh

Raw food = roh. Rough stone = rau. Never mix them up!

Throat Care

If your throat feels like you swallowed a cactus, it's 'rau'.

Industrial Style

If you like exposed bricks and concrete, you like 'raue Ästhetik'.

Sea Talk

A 'raue See' is one with high waves and white foam. Very dramatic!

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'RAU' (Row) of stones that are rough. Or imagine a 'RAW' throat that feels 'RAU'.

Asociación visual

Imagine rubbing your hand against a piece of dark grey sandpaper.

Word Web

Sandpapier Stimme Klima Haut Stein Sitten Mengen Wind

Desafío

Try to find 3 items in your room that are 'rau' and 3 that are 'glatt' and name them in German.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from Middle High German 'rūch' and Old High German 'rūh'. It shares the same Germanic root as the English word 'rough' and Dutch 'ruw'.

Significado original: Hairy, shaggy, or unkempt.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Calling someone's manners 'rau' is not necessarily an insult, but it does imply a lack of formal etiquette.

Similar to the English concept of 'rugged' or 'gritty'.

Herbert Grönemeyer (singer known for a 'raue Stimme') Nordsee (geographical area famous for 'raues Wetter') Grimm's Fairy Tales (often describe 'raue Gesellen')

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

DIY/Construction

raue Oberfläche
anrauen
schleifen
Rauputz

Health/Beauty

raue Hände
raue Lippen
rauer Hals
Feuchtigkeitscreme

Weather/Nature

raues Klima
raue See
rauer Wind
raue Brise

Social Situations

raue Sitten
rauer Ton
raue Schale
direkt sein

Shopping

in rauen Mengen
raues Leder
Stoff ist rau
unbehandelt

Inicios de conversación

"Findest du das Klima hier zu rau?"

"Magst du Sänger mit einer rauen Stimme?"

"Hast du im Winter auch immer so raue Hände?"

"Was hältst du von dem rauen Ton in der Politik?"

"Bevorzugst du glatte oder raue Oberflächen bei Möbeln?"

Temas para diario

Beschreibe einen Tag an der rauen Nordsee.

Kennst du jemanden mit einer rauen Schale und einem weichen Kern? Beschreibe die Person.

Was tust du gegen einen rauen Hals im Winter?

Ist ein rauer Umgangston in manchen Berufen notwendig?

Erinnere dich an eine Situation, in der du die raue Wirklichkeit gespürt hast.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, since the 1996 spelling reform, only 'rau' is the official standard spelling. However, you will still see 'rauh' in older texts or names.

No, for raw meat you must use 'roh'. 'Rau' only refers to the texture or harshness, not the state of being uncooked.

'Rau' is about the surface texture (scratchy). 'Grob' is about the size of grains or a very rude, unrefined behavior. You can have 'grobes Salz' but not 'raues Salz'.

Not necessarily. A 'raue Stimme' can be considered attractive in music, and 'raue Mengen' just means a lot of something. It often implies a natural, unpolished state.

You can say 'Ich habe einen rauen Hals'. If it's more about the voice, you say 'Ich bin heiser'.

Yes, it describes someone who is direct, perhaps a bit blunt, but often honest. The idiom 'raue Schale, weicher Kern' is perfect for this.

This refers to a social environment where people are not very polite or where life is physically demanding and tough.

Yes, they are cognates and share the same Germanic origin, which is why they sound similar and have similar meanings.

No, for a rough draft you would use 'Entwurf' or 'Rohfassung'. 'Rau' is not used for conceptual roughness.

It would be 'einem rauen [Nomen]', for example 'in einem rauen Klima'.

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