trübe

Trübe is a German term used as both an adjective and a noun to describe cloudiness, dullness, or gloom. As an adjective, it denotes something not clear or bright: trübes Wasser (murky water), trübes Licht (dim, diffuse light), or trübes Wetter (dreary weather). It can also describe mood or atmosphere, for example eine trübe Stimmung (a gloomy mood) or sich im trüben Himmel spiegeln. In everyday language the word is often used for visual, sensory, or emotional dullness.

As a noun, die Trübe refers to the condition of being cloudy or gloomy. It can describe physical cloudiness, such as die Trübe des Gewässers (the turbidity of the water) or metaphorical gloom, such as the Trübe des Wetters. Related scientific terms include Trübung or Trübheit, which denote turbidity or cloudiness in liquids and are common in hydrology, water treatment, and laboratory contexts.

Usage and nuance: trübe implies a soft, diffuse quality rather than sharp clarity. It contrasts with words like klar (clear) or hell (bright). In beer and other beverages, trüb describes cloudiness caused by suspended particles, often indicating unfiltered products. In weather, trübes Wetter conveys a gray, overcast, and somber atmosphere.

Etymology and related forms: the word traces back to Germanic roots meaning dull or cloudy, and is cognate with related words in other Germanic languages that describe cloudiness or turbidity. See also Trübung, Trübheit, and related terms for technical or figurative uses.