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 / radiate
Strahlen describes an already existing glowing expression of joy. Erstrahlen, by contrast, emphasizes the moment when this expression begins. Use strahlen for the state and erstrahlen for the visible transition into that state.
Als sie die gute Nachricht hört, erstrahlt ihr Gesicht vor Freude.
When she hears the good news, her face lights up with joy.
Während der Feier strahlt ihr Gesicht vor Freude.
During the celebration, her face beams with joy.
