lighthouse
Loading your saved state.
lighthouse
A tall tower on a coast or island that emits a strong light to help ships navigate at night or in bad weather.
Der Leuchtturm von Warnemünde ist ein bekanntes Wahrzeichen.
The lighthouse of Warnemünde is a well-known landmark.
'Leuchtturm' (lighthouse) is made up of the stem of the verb 'leuchten' (to shine) and the noun 'der Turm' (tower). So it is literally a 'leuchtender Turm' (shining tower).
Bei Nebel sieht man nur das Licht des Leuchtturms.
In fog, you can only see the light of the lighthouse.
The figurative meaning comes directly from the function of a real lighthouse: giving orientation. If the sentence is about the coast and shipping, it means the real tower. If it is about business, politics, or society, it means a role model or beacon.
Das Schiff navigierte sicher am Leuchtturm vorbei.
The ship navigated safely past the lighthouse.
In the figurative meaning, the fixed compound 'Leuchtturmprojekt' (flagship project/beacon project) is often used. Phrases like 'als Leuchtturm dienen' (to serve as a beacon) or 'als Leuchtturm gelten' (to be considered a beacon) are also very common.
Die neue Bibliothek ist ein Leuchtturmprojekt für die ganze Stadt.
The new library is a flagship project for the whole city.
role model / model
'das Vorbild' and 'der Leuchtturm' can both refer to something that gives others orientation. 'Vorbild' is the normal word for a person, model, or example that one can follow. In this meaning, 'Leuchtturm' is figurative. It often refers to a project, an institution, or sometimes also a person that is especially visible and shows others what direction things can take. 'Vorbild' fits many everyday situations. 'Leuchtturm' sounds stronger and is often used when something provides important guidance for many people or for an entire field.
Das neue Umweltprojekt gilt in der Region als Leuchtturm für nachhaltige Ideen.
The new environmental project is considered a beacon for sustainable ideas in the region.
Unser Nachbar ist ein Vorbild für mich, weil er sich seit Jahren um ältere Menschen kümmert.
Our neighbor is a role model for me because he has been looking after older people for years.