How does one say 'roughness' in German?

The term 'roughness' in German is 'Rauheit.' This word specifically refers to the texture or unevenness of a surface, which aligns perfectly with the concept of roughness in both physical and metaphorical contexts. When discussing materials, surfaces, or even abstract concepts like behavior, 'Rauheit' captures the essence of something that lacks smoothness, appearing coarse or uneven.

The other options do not convey the same meaning: 'Bruch' translates to 'break' or 'fracture,' which relates to the process of breaking rather than texture. 'Schraube' means 'screw,' referring to a fastener, while 'Dichtung' refers to a 'seal' or 'gasket,' which is entirely unrelated to texture. Thus, these alternatives do not apply when discussing 'roughness' and highlight the specificity of 'Rauheit' as the accurate choice.