bleichen
to bleach
To make something lighter or remove its color, often with the help of chemicals or sunlight. This verb is transitive.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat sich die Haare blond bleichen lassen.
She had her hair bleached blond.
bleichen
to bleach
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Meanings
bleichen
to fade
To become lighter or lose color on its own, usually through the effect of light. This verb is intransitive.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Fotos an der Wand sind über die Jahre stark gebleicht.
The old photos on the wall have faded badly over the years.
bleichen
to turn pale
To become very pale in the face, usually as a reaction to shock, fear, or nausea.
EXAMPLE
Als er die Nachricht hörte, bleichte sein Gesicht sichtlich.
When he heard the news, his face visibly turned pale.
Usage tips
Two conjugations
This verb has two different past-tense forms depending on the meaning. The transitive meaning (to make something lighter) is weak: bleichen – bleichte – hat gebleicht. The intransitive meanings (to become lighter on its own) are strong: bleichen – blich – ist geblichen.
EXAMPLE
Der Friseur bleichte ihre Haare mit einer chemischen Lösung.
The hairdresser bleached her hair with a chemical solution.
Sentence structure: transitive vs. intransitive
When a person or force actively makes something lighter, the verb needs an accusative object. When something loses its color on its own or a face turns pale, it is used without an object.
EXAMPLE
Ich lasse meine Jeans bleichen, damit sie heller wird.
I'm having my jeans bleached so they become lighter.
Typical use
In the transitive meaning (actively making something lighter), 'bleichen' (to bleach) is often used for hair, teeth, textiles, or even paper.
EXAMPLE
Viele Leute lassen sich professionell die Zähne bleichen.
Many people have their teeth professionally bleached.
Turning pale
In this meaning, the verb describes a physical reaction to a strong emotion such as shock or fear. The subject is the person or their face.
EXAMPLE
Er bleichte sichtlich, als er die schlechte Nachricht erhielt.
He visibly turned pale when he received the bad news.
Compare with
bleichen vs verblassen
to fade
“Verblassen” generally describes a color losing intensity. “Bleichen” also refers to becoming lighter, but usually suggests an outside influence such as strong light. When this cause is important, “bleichen” is more appropriate; otherwise, “verblassen” is often sufficient.
bleichen
Der blaue Vorhang bleichte in der starken Sonne.
The blue curtain faded in the strong sunlight.
verblassen
Die blaue Farbe des Vorhangs verblasste mit der Zeit.
The curtain’s blue color faded over time.
In real life
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