01
blank
shiny
Shiny and clean, often as the result of polishing or cleaning.
example
Die Ritterrüstung war blank poliert.
The knight's armor was polished shiny.
blank
shiny / bare / broke
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'blank' usually means 'glänzend' (shiny) or 'sauber' (clean). It is a false friend of the English word 'blank', which often means 'leer' (empty), as in a blank page.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Putzen war der Boden spiegelblank.
After cleaning, the floor was mirror-shiny.
Context clue
The meaning of 'blank' depends heavily on the noun. In connection with concrete, physical objects, it usually means 'glänzend' (shiny). In connection with abstract nouns such as feelings, it expresses a pure, unfiltered intensity.
EXAMPLE
Der frisch polierte Löffel ist blank.
The freshly polished spoon is shiny.
Colloquial usage
In the meaning 'kein Geld haben' (to have no money), 'blank sein' (to be broke) is purely colloquial. It is typically used in informal conversations with friends.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht ins Kino mitkommen, ich bin diesen Monat total blank.
I can't come to the movies; I'm totally broke this month.
Fixed combinations
In the figurative meaning, 'blank' is used almost only in fixed combinations with nouns that describe a strong state or feeling. Common examples are 'blanke Angst' (sheer fear), 'blanker Horror' (sheer horror), 'blanker Neid' (sheer envy), or 'blanker Unsinn' (utter nonsense).
EXAMPLE
Was du da erzählst, ist doch der blanke Unsinn!
What you're saying is utter nonsense!
Fixed expression
The expression 'blank ziehen' (to draw one's weapon) is a fixed unit and means to draw a weapon, usually a sword. The verb 'ziehen' is conjugated, while 'blank' remains unchanged at the end of the clause.
EXAMPLE
Der Ritter zog blank und forderte seinen Gegner zum Kampf.
The knight drew his weapon and challenged his opponent to a fight.
Compare with
blank vs rein
pure / in
'rein' and 'blank' can both have to do with cleanliness or something pure. 'rein' usually simply means clean or unmixed. 'blank' often means that a surface is clean and shiny, for example metal or shoes after cleaning. In a figurative sense, 'blank' can also express something very pure or obvious, but it sounds more specific. The words can be confused because both sometimes mean 'clean' or 'pure'. For ordinary cleanliness, 'rein' is more natural; for things polished until they shine, 'blank' fits better.
blank
Lena hat die alten Töpfe geputzt, bis sie blank waren.
Lena cleaned the old pots until they were shiny.
rein
Nach dem Waschen ist das Wasser wieder rein und klar.
After washing, the water is pure and clear again.
In real life
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