German Phrase
Such dir eine schöne Farbe aus.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to pick a nice colour for themselves, often in a context where they are customizing something – a paint, a piece of clothing, a design element, etc. The tone is friendly and informal.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are helping someone decide on a colour, for example in a shop, during a DIY project, or while setting up a digital theme. It works best with friends, family, or customers you address with ‘du’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SuchdireineschöneFarbeaus
Verb + separable prefix
‘auswählen’ is a separable verb; in the imperative the prefix ‘aus’ moves to the end of the clause.
Imperative (du) form
‘Such’ is the du‑imperative of ‘suchen/auswählen’; the ending -e is optional in spoken German.
Reflexive dative pronoun
‘dir’ is the dative reflexive pronoun referring back to the subject (you).
Indefinite article & adjective declension
‘eine schöne Farbe’ uses the feminine accusative form: ‘eine’ + adjective with weak ending ‘‑e’ because the article provides the case marker.
🗨In Conversation
Möchtest du die Wand streichen? Such dir eine schöne Farbe aus.
Do you want to paint the wall? Choose a nice colour.
Ich nehme ein helles Blau, das passt gut zu den Möbeln.
I'll take a light blue, it matches the furniture well.
✕Common Mistakes
Sucht dir eine schöne Farbe aus.
‘Sucht’ is the third‑person plural present tense, not the du‑imperative.
Such deine eine schöne Farbe aus.
The reflexive pronoun must be dative ‘dir’, not the possessive ‘deine’.
Such dir eine schönes Farbe aus.
‘Farbe’ is feminine; the adjective takes the weak ending ‘‑e’ after ‘eine’.
Wähle aus dir eine schöne Farbe.
In the imperative the separable prefix must be placed at the end, not kept attached.
↔Alternatives
Wähle dir eine schöne Farbe aus.
Pick a nice colour for yourself.
Entscheide dich für eine schöne Farbe.
Decide on a nice colour.
Such dir eine hübsche Farbe aus.
Select a pretty colour.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries, colour choices are often discussed with a focus on practicality (e.g., how a colour fits into a room’s lighting). When speaking to strangers or in a formal setting, you would use the Sie‑imperative: ‘Suchen Sie sich eine schöne Farbe aus.’ The informal du‑form is common among friends, family, and in retail environments where staff address customers with ‘du’ (e.g., in many DIY stores).