das Licht
light
The natural or artificial brightness that makes seeing possible.
EXAMPLE
Mach bitte das Licht an, es wird schon dunkel.
Please turn on the light; it's already getting dark.
das Licht
light
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Licht
light
A device that produces brightness, for example a lamp, candle, or light bulb.
EXAMPLE
Das Licht im Badezimmer ist kaputt, wir brauchen eine neue Glühbirne.
The light in the bathroom is broken; we need a new light bulb.
ans Licht kommen/bringen
to come to light
Hidden information or a secret is uncovered or becomes publicly known.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Arbeit des Journalisten kam die Wahrheit über den Skandal ans Licht.
Through the journalist's work, the truth about the scandal came to light.
grünes Licht geben
to give the green light
To grant permission or approval for a plan or project.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschäftsführung hat grünes Licht für die neue Marketingkampagne gegeben.
Management gave the green light for the new marketing campaign.
das Licht
luminary
A person who is considered especially intelligent, capable, or an authority in a field. Often also used ironically.
EXAMPLE
Sie galt als ein großes Licht in der theoretischen Physik.
She was considered a great luminary in theoretical physics.
Usage tips
Typical verbs
In everyday language, 'Licht' (light) is very often combined with the verbs 'anmachen' (to turn on) and 'ausmachen' (to turn off) when referring to artificial light sources. 'anschalten' (to switch on) and 'ausschalten' (to switch off) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Es ist zu dunkel zum Lesen, mach bitte das Licht an.
It's too dark to read; please turn on the light.
Plural context clue
The plural 'die Lichter' (the lights) almost always refers to concrete light sources such as lamps or candles. Abstract brightness usually has no plural.
EXAMPLE
Die Lichter der Stadt leuchteten in der Nacht.
The lights of the city shone in the night.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ans Licht kommen/bringen' (to come/bring to light) uses 'an das' (accusative) to express movement. If a secret becomes known by itself, 'kommt es ans Licht' (it comes to light). If someone uncovers it, 'bringt er es ans Licht' (he brings it to light).
EXAMPLE
Die Wahrheit über den Vorfall kam erst Jahre später ans Licht.
The truth about the incident only came to light years later.
Fixed expression
In the idiom 'grünes Licht geben' (to give the green light), the person receiving permission is in the dative. What the permission applies to is often connected with 'für' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef gab uns grünes Licht für das neue Projekt.
The boss gave us the green light for the new project.
Ironic use
The term 'ein großes Licht' (a great luminary) for a person is often used ironically today. It means that the person is actually not especially intelligent or capable.
EXAMPLE
Er hält sich für ein großes Licht, versteht aber die einfachsten Zusammenhänge nicht.
He thinks he's a great luminary, but he doesn't understand even the simplest connections.
Compare with
Licht vs hell
bright / light
Das Licht refers to the brightness itself, which makes it possible to see. Hell, on the other hand, describes a room or object that receives or gives off a lot of light. Therefore, a room can have a lot of light and be bright at the same time.
Licht
Durch die großen Fenster fällt viel Licht in das Wohnzimmer.
A lot of light comes into the living room through the large windows.
hell
Durch die großen Fenster ist das Wohnzimmer hell.
The living room is bright because of the large windows.
In real life
Loading video examples...