to shine / light up
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to shine
To begin to shine or glow brightly. It can refer to light, colors, or also to a face that expresses joy.
Nach der Renovierung erstrahlte das alte Schloss in neuem Glanz.
After the renovation, the old castle shone in new splendor.
'Erstrahlen' (to shine / light up) is an inseparable verb made up of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'strahlen' (to shine / radiate). Here, the prefix 'er-' marks the beginning or sudden onset of the action of shining.
Als die Sonne durch die Wolken brach, erstrahlte die Landschaft.
When the sun broke through the clouds, the landscape lit up.
The perfect tense of 'erstrahlen' (to shine / light up) is formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' because it describes a change of state (from dark/normal to shining). So it is 'ist erstrahlt'.
Ihr Gesicht ist vor Freude erstrahlt.
Her face lit up with joy.
This verb belongs to elevated or poetic language. It is more expressive and emotional than simply 'leuchten' (to shine) or 'scheinen' (to shine/seem).
Der Sternenhimmel erstrahlte in klarer Nacht.
The starry sky shone on the clear night.
A very common fixed expression is 'in neuem Glanz erstrahlen' (to shine in new splendor). It is often used for renovated buildings, restored artworks, or redesigned places.
Die Altstadt erstrahlt nach der Sanierung in neuem Glanz.
After the renovation, the old town shines in new splendor.
to shine / seem
'scheinen' and 'erstrahlen' both have to do with light or brightness. 'scheinen' simply describes that something gives off light or that light falls on something. 'erstrahlen' emphasizes that something begins to shine suddenly or especially brightly. It sounds stronger and somewhat more solemn. You can also say that a face 'erstrahlt vor Freude' (lights up with joy). Learners may confuse the words because both express shining. In everyday language, 'scheinen' is more neutral; 'erstrahlen' fits when something appears especially bright or beautiful.
Nach der Renovierung erstrahlt das alte Haus in hellen Farben.
After the renovation, the old house shines in bright colors.
Die Lampe scheint die ganze Nacht im Flur.
The lamp shines in the hallway all night.