01
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
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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 färben
to dye / color
'färben' and 'bleichen' both have to do with a change in color. The most important difference is the direction: with 'färben', something gets a different or stronger color. With 'bleichen', something becomes lighter or loses color. Both words can also be used without an active action, for example when fabric becomes lighter in the sun or leaves change color in autumn. With the face, there is also a contrast: you can 'sich rot färben' (flush red) from shame, but 'bleichen' (turn pale) from shock. The words can be confused because both describe a change in color. A practical guide is: 'färben' brings color in, while 'bleichen' takes color away or makes something lighter.
bleichen
Die alten Vorhänge sind in der Sonne stark geblichen.
The old curtains have faded badly in the sun.
färben
Vor der Feier färbt sich Lisa die Haare dunkelbraun.
Before the party, Lisa dyes her hair dark brown.
In real life
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