sich lichten
to clear
To become thinner or less dense. Often refers to fog, a forest, or hair.
EXAMPLE
Der Nebel am Morgen begann sich langsam zu lichten.
The morning fog slowly began to clear.
lichten
to thin / clear
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Meanings
lichten
to thin out
To thin something out by removing parts of it in order to create more light or space. Usually used for forests or dense vegetation.
EXAMPLE
Der Förster muss den Wald lichten, damit die jungen Bäume besser wachsen können.
The forester has to thin out the forest so that the young trees can grow better.
den Anker lichten
to weigh anchor
In seafaring, to pull the anchor up from the bottom of the water in order to begin a journey by ship.
EXAMPLE
Bei Sonnenaufgang befahl der Kapitän, den Anker zu lichten.
At sunrise, the captain gave the order to weigh anchor.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'lichten' is derived directly from the adjective 'licht' (light, not dense) and the noun 'das Licht' (light). It literally means to make something 'lichter' (lighter / less dense), that is, to create more light or space.
EXAMPLE
Die Wolkendecke lichtete sich und die Sonne kam hervor.
The cloud cover cleared, and the sun came out.
Reflexive vs. transitive
Pay attention to the difference: 'sich lichten' is reflexive and describes a process that happens by itself. 'Etwas lichten' is transitive and means that someone actively thins something out.
EXAMPLE
Der Nebel lichtet sich langsam.
The fog is slowly clearing.
Typical collocations
The reflexive form 'sich lichten' is often used for natural phenomena or changes in the body. Typical nouns are 'der Nebel' (the fog), 'die Wolken' (the clouds), 'das Haar' (the hair), or 'die Reihen' (the ranks/rows, e.g. of people).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem starken Regen lichteten sich die Wolken.
After the heavy rain, the clouds cleared.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'den Anker lichten' (to weigh anchor) is a fixed expression from seafaring. It is used almost exclusively in this context and means to begin a journey by ship.
EXAMPLE
Das Kreuzfahrtschiff wird um 20 Uhr den Anker lichten.
The cruise ship will weigh anchor at 8 p.m.
In real life
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