01
die Helligkeit
brightness
The quality of being bright or of emitting or reflecting a lot of light.
example
Die Helligkeit des Bildschirms lässt sich anpassen.
The brightness of the screen can be adjusted.
die Helligkeit
brightness
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word structure
'Helligkeit' (brightness) is formed from the adjective 'hell' (bright) with the ending '-keit'. This pattern of making a noun from an adjective with '-keit' is very common in German, e.g. 'Sauberkeit' (cleanliness), 'Freundlichkeit' (friendliness).
EXAMPLE
Die Freundlichkeit der Mitarbeiter hat uns sehr gefreut.
The friendliness of the employees made us very happy.
Typical collocations
In everyday language, 'Helligkeit' (brightness) is often used in connection with technical devices or light sources. Typical verbs are 'die Helligkeit einstellen' (to set the brightness), 'regulieren' (to regulate), or 'anpassen' (to adjust).
EXAMPLE
Die Helligkeit meines Handys ist auf automatisch eingestellt.
The brightness of my phone is set to automatic.
Register: technical language
As a measure of luminosity, 'Helligkeit' (brightness) is a technical term from physics and astronomy. In normal language use, this specific meaning occurs rarely.
EXAMPLE
Der Astronom misst die Helligkeit des neu entdeckten Kometen.
The astronomer measures the brightness of the newly discovered comet.
Register: outdated
The form of address 'Eure Helligkeit' (Your Brightness) is outdated and is no longer used today. You only still find it in historical novels, fairy tales, or films set in the past.
EXAMPLE
Der Diener verbeugte sich und sagte: „Wie befehlen Eure Helligkeit?“
The servant bowed and said, 'What are Your Brightness's orders?'
Compare with
Helligkeit vs Licht
light
'das Licht' and 'die Helligkeit' are very close here. Both have to do with being bright. 'Licht' more often means the brightness itself or its source, for example sunlight or lamplight. 'Helligkeit' describes more specifically how bright something is, for example a room, a screen, or a photo. In many everyday situations, you can use both, but when talking about the strength or setting of light, 'Helligkeit' sounds more precise.
Helligkeit
Kannst du die Helligkeit am Bildschirm etwas niedriger stellen?
Can you lower the brightness on the screen a little?
Licht
Durch das große Fenster fällt viel Licht ins Wohnzimmer.
A lot of light comes into the living room through the large window.
In real life
Loading video examples...