beleuchten
to illuminate
To shine light on something or someone in order to make it bright and visible.
EXAMPLE
Die Bühne wurde von mehreren Scheinwerfern hell beleuchtet.
The stage was brightly illuminated by several spotlights.
beleuchten
to illuminate / examine
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Meanings
beleuchten
to examine
To examine, analyze, and present a situation, problem, or topic in more detail from a particular perspective.
EXAMPLE
Die Studie beleuchtet die sozialen Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung.
The study examines the social effects of digitalization.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'beleuchten' is inseparable with the prefix 'be-'. So the prefix always stays connected to the verb, even in the past participle ('beleuchtet'). It makes the verb 'leuchten' (to shine) transitive, so that it requires a direct object.
EXAMPLE
Ein Strahler beleuchtet das Kunstwerk.
A spotlight illuminates the artwork.
Literal & figurative meaning
The figurative meaning is derived directly from the literal one. Just as you shine light on an object with a lamp to make it visible, you can also shed 'light' on an abstract topic to make it easier to understand.
EXAMPLE
Der Experte soll in seinem Vortrag die wirtschaftlichen Hintergründe beleuchten.
The expert is supposed to examine the economic background in his lecture.
Typical collocations
In the literal sense, 'beleuchten' is often used for places or objects. Typical combinations are: 'eine Straße beleuchten' (to illuminate a street), 'ein Gebäude beleuchten' (to illuminate a building), 'eine Szene beleuchten' (to light a scene), or 'ein Gesicht beleuchten' (to illuminate a face).
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt hat beschlossen, die Brücke nachts farbig zu beleuchten.
The city has decided to illuminate the bridge in color at night.
Typical collocations
In the figurative, analytical meaning, 'beleuchten' is combined with abstract nouns. Common phrases are: 'ein Thema beleuchten' (to examine a topic), 'einen Aspekt beleuchten' (to examine an aspect), 'ein Problem beleuchten' (to examine a problem), or 'die Hintergründe beleuchten' (to examine the background).
EXAMPLE
Der Artikel beleuchtet das Thema von einer ganz neuen Seite.
The article examines the topic from a completely new angle.
Compare with
beleuchten vs untersuchen
to examine / investigate
Untersuchen and beleuchten can refer to the same problem. Untersuchen emphasizes the process of checking something in order to gain insights; beleuchten places more emphasis on presenting and explaining it from a particular perspective. Use untersuchen for your own examination and beleuchten for presenting the issue in a report.
beleuchten
Der Bericht beleuchtet die Ursache des Fehlers aus der Sicht der betroffenen Kunden.
The report sheds light on the cause of the error from the affected customers’ perspective.
untersuchen
Das Team untersucht die Ursache des Fehlers, um die nötigen Fakten zu sammeln.
The team examines the cause of the error in order to collect the necessary facts.
In real life
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