to leaf through / to flake
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to leaf through
To turn the pages of a book, magazine, or document, often casually and without reading closely.
Während er wartete, blätterte er gelangweilt in einer Illustrierten.
While he was waiting, he leafed through a magazine, bored.
to flake off
To come loose from a surface in small, thin layers or flakes. This often applies to old paint, plaster, or dry skin.
Die Farbe an dem alten Fensterrahmen blättert bereits ab.
The paint on the old window frame is already flaking off.
The verb 'blättern' (to leaf through / to flake) comes from the noun 'das Blatt' (leaf/sheet). This connection explains both meanings: you turn the 'Blätter' (pages) of a book, or paint comes off in 'leaf-like' pieces.
Im Herbst fallen die Blätter von den Bäumen.
In autumn, the leaves fall from the trees.
The subject of the sentence reveals the meaning. If a person is the subject, 'blättern' (to leaf through) means turning pages. If paint, plaster, or skin is the subject, it means 'sich ablösen' (to come off/detach).
Er blätterte nervös durch seine Notizen.
He leafed nervously through his notes.
When turning pages, 'blättern' (to leaf through) is often used with the prepositions 'in' (+ dative) or 'durch' (+ accusative) to name the medium.
Sie blätterte in einem alten Fotoalbum.
She leafed through an old photo album.
When something comes off, the preposition 'von' (+ dative) is often used to describe the surface something is detaching from.
Nach dem Sonnenbrand hat die Haut von meinen Schultern geblättert.
After the sunburn, the skin on my shoulders flaked.
to turn / contact
When reading, wenden and blättern can both describe moving pages. A single page is gewendet, meaning it is turned over to the other side. Someone who blättert turns several pages one after another, often casually and without reading everything closely.
Während sie wartet, blättert sie beiläufig durch die Zeitschrift.
While she waits, she casually leafs through the magazine.
Nach dem letzten Satz wendet sie die Seite und liest weiter.
After the last sentence, she turns the page and continues reading.
