lighting / illumination
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lighting
All the lamps and light sources that illuminate a room, building, or outdoor area. Also the light produced itself.
Die neue LED-Beleuchtung im Wohnzimmer spart viel Energie.
The new LED lighting in the living room saves a lot of energy.
The noun 'die Beleuchtung' (lighting/illumination) is derived from the verb 'beleuchten' (to illuminate / to shed light on). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the action or the result.
Wir müssen das alte Haus neu beleuchten.
We need to relight the old house.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If it is about lamps, light, and brightness, the literal meaning is intended. If it is about topics, problems, or analyses, the figurative meaning is intended.
Die Straßenbeleuchtung schaltet sich automatisch ein.
The street lighting switches on automatically.
In connection with light, 'Beleuchtung' (lighting) is often used with verbs such as 'einschalten' (to turn on), 'ausschalten' (to turn off), or 'installieren' (to install). Adjectives such as 'hell' (bright), 'dunkel' (dark), 'direkt' (direct), or 'indirekt' (indirect) are also typical.
Könntest du bitte die Beleuchtung im Flur einschalten?
Could you please turn on the lighting in the hallway?
In the figurative meaning, 'Beleuchtung' (illumination / analysis) belongs more to formal written language, for example in academic, journalistic, or analytical texts.
Die Studie liefert eine kritische Beleuchtung der aktuellen Wirtschaftslage.
The study provides a critical analysis of the current economic situation.
light
'das Licht' and 'die Beleuchtung' both have to do with brightness. 'Licht' can mean the brightness itself, or also a single light source in everyday language, for example when you say: 'Mach das Licht an' (turn on the light). 'Beleuchtung' more often means the lamps and light sources together, or the way a room, a street, or a stage is lit. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in rooms and buildings. For a single lamp or general brightness, 'Licht' often fits; for a whole system of lamps, 'Beleuchtung' is better.
Im neuen Büro ist die Beleuchtung hell, aber nicht unangenehm.
In the new office, the lighting is bright but not unpleasant.
Kannst du bitte das Licht im Wohnzimmer ausmachen?
Could you please turn off the light in the living room?