Few words are as instantly recognizable or emotionally rich. The German noun Rose means rose — the flower of love, beauty, and poetic symbolism. It’s used both literally (in gardens and flower shops) and metaphorically (in language, music, and idioms).
Rose is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die — die Rose. If gender still feels like guesswork, watch our fast and effective 5-minute gender video and start getting der / die / das right more consistently.
Real conversations where Rose might come up
You’ll hear Rose in romantic contexts, at birthdays, or on Valentine's Day. It’s also used in polite conversation when giving gifts, expressing affection, or talking about someone's garden.
– Ich habe ihr eine Rose mitgebracht.
– Wie schön! Das ist wirklich aufmerksam.
(“I brought her a rose.” – “How lovely! That’s really thoughtful.”)
Beginner sample dialogue
Mira: Was kaufst du deiner Mutter zum Geburtstag?
Jan: Vielleicht eine Rose. Sie liebt rote Blumen.
Mira: Gute Idee. Die sind immer elegant.
(Mira: What are you buying your mom for her birthday?
Jan: Maybe a rose. She loves red flowers.
Mira: Good idea. They’re always elegant.)
Grammar in action: How to use Rose
Here’s how Rose works in the four German cases:
Nominative: Die Rose ist wunderschön.
(The rose is beautiful.)Accusative: Ich pflücke die Rose.
(I’m picking the rose.)Dative: Er gibt der Rose Wasser.
(He gives water to the rose.)Genitive: Der Duft der Rose ist stark.
(The scent of the rose is strong.)
Need a better grasp of these cases? Our easy-to-understand grammar course explains everything in clear English, perfect for learners who want to move past memorization and into real understanding.
Other ways to say rose or related concepts in German
While Rose is the specific word for the flower, it also appears in expressions and product names. For example, Rosenwasser (rose water), Rosenduft (rose scent), or Rosenstrauß (bouquet of roses). To describe a person, the adjective rosig means rosy — often used in expressions like rosige Zukunft (rosy future).
Word variations and tidbits
Rose comes directly from Latin rosa, just like in English. It’s a word that transcends cultures and languages — a global symbol of love, beauty, and transience. In German idioms and poetry, Rose often represents fleeting beauty or bittersweet emotion.
Some common compound words and expressions:
Rosenblatt – rose petal
Rosenbeet – rose bed (in a garden)
Rosengarten – rose garden
“Es ist nicht alles eitel Sonnenschein und Rosen” – “It’s not all sunshine and roses” (i.e., life isn’t always easy)
And of course, you’ll hear Rosamunde or Rosenmontag — the Monday before Lent when the Carnival season peaks in parts of Germany.
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Rose
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