erleuchten
to illuminate
To make something bright with light or cause it to shine.
EXAMPLE
Ein großer Kronleuchter erleuchtete den ganzen Saal.
A large chandelier illuminated the entire hall.
erleuchten
to illuminate / enlighten
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Meanings
erleuchten
to enlighten
To give someone a sudden insight or deep understanding.
EXAMPLE
Seine Erklärung hat mich endlich erleuchtet und ich verstand das Problem.
His explanation finally enlightened me, and I understood the problem.
erleuchten
to enlighten
In a religious or spiritual sense, to reach or bring about a state of deep spiritual insight and inner peace.
EXAMPLE
Der Guru versprach seinen Anhängern, sie zu erleuchten.
The guru promised his followers that he would enlighten them.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Erleuchten' (to illuminate / enlighten) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' always stays attached to the verb stem and is not placed at the end of the sentence. The past participle is formed without 'ge-': 'erleuchtet' (illuminated/enlightened).
EXAMPLE
Die Blitze erleuchteten den Nachthimmel.
The lightning illuminated the night sky.
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'leuchten' (to shine). The prefix 'er-' often expresses the achievement of a result. So 'erleuchten' means to bring something or someone into a state of shining, whether literally with light or figuratively with knowledge.
EXAMPLE
Eine einzelne Kerze erleuchtete das kleine Zimmer.
A single candle illuminated the small room.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning by the fact that the object is a physical place or thing that is being made bright. In the figurative meanings, the object is usually a person who gains insight.
EXAMPLE
Die Scheinwerfer erleuchteten die Bühne.
The spotlights illuminated the stage.
Register
The figurative meaning of giving someone insight is often used in an elevated or slightly ironic style. It often sounds somewhat more formal or dramatic.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du mich bitte erleuchten, was hier vor sich geht?
Could you please enlighten me as to what is going on here?
Compare with
erleuchten vs beleuchten
to illuminate / examine
Beleuchten usually means directing light at a specific target so that it becomes visible. Erleuchten places greater emphasis on something becoming bright overall or beginning to glow. Use beleuchten for shining light directly on something and erleuchten for the resulting brightness.
erleuchten
Viele Lampen erleuchten den ganzen Saal.
Many lamps illuminate the entire hall.
beleuchten
Ein Scheinwerfer beleuchtet gezielt die Statue im Saal.
A spotlight specifically illuminates the statue in the hall.
In real life
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