adjective

golden

Es beschreibt etwas, das aus Gold besteht oder die Farbe von Gold hat.

Definition & meaning

Golden is an adjective meaning:

Made of gold: a golden ring is a ring made from gold.
Gold-colored: golden hair describes hair with a yellowish or gold-like color.
Excellent, precious, or especially favorable, in figurative use: a golden opportunity is an unusually good opportunity; a golden age is a particularly successful or flourishing period.

Grammar & word origin

Golden is an adjective formed from Gold (“gold”) with the suffix -en. Like other German adjectives, it takes endings when used before a noun: for example, goldenes in ein goldenes Herz (“a golden heart”).

Synonyms & antonyms

goldfarben (“gold-colored”) is close in meaning when describing color, but does not imply that something is made of real gold.
gülden is a poetic or old-fashioned synonym, often used for a golden appearance.
goldig can mean “golden” in appearance, but more often conveys that something looks cute or charming.

There is no exact antonym. silbern (“silver-colored” or “made of silver”) contrasts with golden in color or material, but is not its general opposite.

Common phrases & collocations

goldene Gelegenheit — a golden opportunity; an especially favorable chance.
goldenes Zeitalter — a golden age; a particularly prosperous or successful period.
goldene Regel — a golden rule; an important guiding principle.
goldene Hochzeit — a golden wedding anniversary, marking 50 years of marriage.