German word

Lichtblick

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlɪçtˌblɪk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounray of hope

Example

In schwierigen Zeiten gab es mehrere Lichtblicke.

In difficult times, there were several rays of hope.

Illustration for Lichtblick (ray of hope)

More examples

Nach einer langen Durststrecke war der Fund ein Lichtblick.

After a long dry spell, the discovery was a ray of hope.

Core concept

A small patch of light that catches the eye in an otherwise dark and difficult situation.

Common phrases

  • ein kleiner Lichtblick

    a small ray of hope

  • ein willkommener Lichtblick

    a welcome ray of hope

Similar words

Hoffnung: Confidence that the future may bring something good.
Hoffnungsschimmer: A barely visible indication that better times may come.
Erleichterung: The reassuring feeling that a burden or worry has eased.
Ermutigung: Encouragement that gives someone strength to act or persevere.

Definition in German

Lichtblick ist ein bildlicher Ausdruck für eine unerwartete, meist kurzfristige positive Wendung oder erfreuliche Nachricht in einer schwierigen Situation.

Word origin

Lichtblick combines Licht ('light') and Blick ('glance' or 'view') in a compound whose literal image supports its figurative sense of a hopeful bright spot.

Usage tips

  • Lichtblick is masculine, with the forms der Lichtblick and die Lichtblicke rather than an English-style plural in -s.

Other meanings

  • encouraging signnoun
  • bright spotnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word