leuchtend
bright
Describing a very intense, strong, and vivid color.
EXAMPLE
Sie trug ein T-Shirt in einem leuchtenden Gelb.
She wore a T-shirt in a bright yellow.
leuchtend
bright / shining
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Meanings
leuchtend
shining
Emitting light or reflecting it strongly; bright and radiant.
EXAMPLE
Der Vollmond stand leuchtend am Nachthimmel.
The full moon stood shining in the night sky.
leuchtend
shining example
In a figurative sense: exemplary, a model example. It is used almost exclusively in the phrase 'ein leuchtendes Beispiel' (a shining example).
EXAMPLE
Ihr Engagement für die Umwelt ist ein leuchtendes Beispiel für uns alle.
Her commitment to the environment is a shining example for us all.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Leuchtend' (bright/shining) is the present participle of the verb 'leuchten' (to shine, to glow). This form is used as an adjective and keeps the basic meaning of radiance, whether with colors, light, or in a figurative sense.
EXAMPLE
Die Glühwürmchen leuchteten in der Dunkelheit.
The fireflies glowed in the darkness.
Typical collocations
To describe an intense color, 'leuchtend' is placed directly before a color adjective. Typical examples are 'leuchtend rot' (bright red), 'leuchtend grün' (bright green), or 'leuchtend blau' (bright blue).
EXAMPLE
Das Plakat war in leuchtenden Farben gedruckt, um Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen.
The poster was printed in bright colors to attract attention.
Context clue
When 'leuchtend' refers to light, it often describes things that shine by themselves or strongly reflect light, such as 'leuchtende Sterne' (shining stars) or 'leuchtende Augen' (shining eyes) from joy.
EXAMPLE
Als sie das Geschenk sah, bekam sie leuchtende Augen.
When she saw the gift, her eyes lit up.
Fixed expression
The figurative, exemplary meaning is used almost only in the fixed expression 'ein leuchtendes Beispiel' (a shining example).
EXAMPLE
Sein unermüdlicher Einsatz für andere ist ein leuchtendes Beispiel für Zivilcourage.
His tireless commitment to others is a shining example of civil courage.
Compare with
leuchtend vs hell
bright / light
Hell and leuchtend can both describe a color. Hell mainly refers to its degree of lightness, while leuchtend also emphasizes a strong, vivid color effect. Choose hell for a light but unobtrusive color and leuchtend when it appears especially intense.
leuchtend
Die Wand ist leuchtend blau und fällt sofort auf.
The wall is bright blue and immediately stands out.
hell
Die Wand ist hellblau und macht das Zimmer freundlich.
The wall is light blue and makes the room feel welcoming.
In real life
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