erleuchtet
illuminated
Made bright or filled with light.
EXAMPLE
Der Saal war festlich erleuchtet.
The hall was festively illuminated.
erleuchtet
illuminated / enlightened
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Meanings
erleuchtet
enlightened
Having attained deep insight intellectually or religiously; having become especially clear-minded and wise inwardly.
EXAMPLE
Nach Jahren der Meditation fühlte sie sich erleuchtet.
After years of meditation, she felt enlightened.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry erleuchtet, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | erleuchtet |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to erleuchtet.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to erleuchtet.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to erleuchtet.
Usage tips
Word formation
The verb „leuchten“ (to shine) is contained in „erleuchtet“ (illuminated/enlightened). Here, the prefix „er-“ indicates a result: something has become bright or has been made bright; the same structure can also lead to a figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Fenster waren vom Mondlicht erleuchtet.
The windows were illuminated by moonlight.
Der Mönch galt als weiser, erleuchteter Mensch.
The monk was regarded as a wise, enlightened person.
Typical collocations
For the meaning related to light, phrases such as „hell erleuchtet“ (brightly illuminated), „festlich erleuchtet“ (festively illuminated), or „von Kerzen erleuchtet“ (illuminated by candles) are common. The word often describes rooms, buildings, streets, or objects.
EXAMPLE
Die Brücke war in der Nacht hell erleuchtet.
The bridge was brightly illuminated at night.
Der Innenhof war von vielen Kerzen erleuchtet.
The courtyard was illuminated by many candles.
Context clue
If a sentence refers to rooms, buildings, or visible light sources, the literal meaning is usually intended. Words such as „Meditation“ (meditation), „Erkenntnis“ (insight), „Weisheit“ (wisdom), or „innerlich“ (inwardly) point instead to the intellectual or religious meaning.
EXAMPLE
Beim Lesen der alten Schriften wirkte er plötzlich innerlich erleuchtet.
While reading the ancient texts, he suddenly seemed inwardly enlightened.
Der Tempel war von goldenen Lampen erleuchtet.
The temple was illuminated by golden lamps.
Religious language
The figurative meaning is especially associated with religious, philosophical, and spiritual language. In everyday texts, it can also be deliberately figurative or humorous.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Begegnung mit dem Lehrer fühlte sie sich erleuchtet.
After meeting the teacher, she felt enlightened.
Nach dieser einfachen Erklärung sah er plötzlich erleuchtet aus.
After this simple explanation, he suddenly looked enlightened.
In real life
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