German word

beleuchten

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈlɔʏ̯çtən/

Meaning

  • verblight

Example

Die Lampe beleuchtet den Tisch.

The lamp lights the table.

Illustration for beleuchten (light)

More examples

Der Bericht beleuchtet die Ursachen des Scheiterns.

The report sheds light on the causes of the failure.

Core concept

Light falls on a dark surface, or focused attention brings a hidden aspect into view.

Common phrases

  • die Ursachen beleuchten

    shed light on the causes

  • einen Aspekt beleuchten

    shed light on an aspect

Similar words

erklären: To show meaning or how something works through a clear, orderly explanation.
eingehen: To address a topic closely and explain its important aspects.
erläutern: To clarify something by describing its reasons and background in detail.
verdeutlichen: To make an idea easier to understand with examples or different wording.

Definition in German

Etwas durch Licht sichtbar machen oder einen Aspekt genauer erklären

Word origin

The verb is formed from leuchten, 'shine', with the prefix be-, which forms a transitive verb for directing light onto something.

Usage tips

  • Beleuchten takes a direct accusative object, unlike the English pattern 'shed light on': Der Bericht beleuchtet einen wichtigen Punkt.

Other meanings

  • brightenverb
  • shed light onverb

Opposites

  • verhüllenconcealverb

Related words

Word lists with this word