blinken
to flash
A repeated, brief lighting up and going out of a light.
EXAMPLE
Die Warnleuchte am Armaturenbrett begann rot zu blinken.
The warning light on the dashboard began to flash red.
blinken
to flash / indicate
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Meanings
blinken
to indicate
To use a vehicle’s turn signal to show a lane change or a turn.
EXAMPLE
Du musst vor dem Abbiegen rechtzeitig blinken.
You have to indicate in good time before turning.
blinken
to gleam
To light up brightly and shine or shimmer, often through the reflection of light.
EXAMPLE
Die frisch polierten Gläser blinkten im Kerzenschein.
The freshly polished glasses gleamed in the candlelight.
Usage tips
Common mistake
The verb 'blinken' (to flash) is used only for light sources, not for the movement of the eyes. When eyes quickly close and open, German uses a different verb.
EXAMPLE
Die Sterne blinkten am Nachthimmel.
The stars flashed in the night sky.
Context clues
The exact meaning of 'blinken' (to flash / indicate) depends heavily on the context. In road traffic, it refers to the turn signal. With technical devices, it is a warning or status signal. In poetic language, it describes the shimmering of surfaces.
EXAMPLE
Bitte blinke, bevor du die Spur wechselst.
Please indicate before you change lanes.
Typical collocations
In the context of driving, 'blinken' (to indicate) is very often combined with a direction. The most common phrases are 'rechts blinken' (to indicate right) and 'links blinken' (to indicate left).
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer vor mir hat nicht geblinkt und ist einfach abgebogen.
The driver in front of me didn’t indicate and just turned.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'schimmern' (to shimmer), 'blinken' (to gleam) is often connected with a light source or a reflective place. Typical formulations are 'in der Sonne blinken' (to gleam in the sun) or 'im Licht blinken' (to gleam in the light).
EXAMPLE
Der frisch gefallene Schnee blinkte in der Morgensonne.
The freshly fallen snow gleamed in the morning sun.
Compare with
blinken vs blitzen
to flash
Both words can describe a brief flash of light. „Blitzen“ generally suggests a single, brief flash, while „blinken“ refers to light that repeatedly comes on and goes off. Use „blitzen“ for a one-time flash and „blinken“ for a regular signal.
blinken
Die Warnleuchte blinkte mehrmals, solange die Tür offen war.
The warning light flashed repeatedly as long as the door was open.
blitzen
Die Warnleuchte blitzte einmal kurz auf, als der Strom zurückkam.
The warning light flashed briefly once when the power came back on.
In real life
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