das Mondlicht
moonlight
The moon's light reflected from the sun, which illuminates the earth at night.
EXAMPLE
Wir machten einen romantischen Spaziergang im hellen Mondlicht am Strand.
We took a romantic walk in the bright moonlight on the beach.
das Mondlicht
moonlight
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a simple and direct compound made from 'der Mond' (the moon) and 'das Licht' (the light). So it describes exactly what it is: the light of the moon.
EXAMPLE
Das Mondlicht schien durch das Fenster in mein Zimmer.
The moonlight shone through the window into my room.
Correct preposition
To describe a situation in moonlight, you use the prepositions 'in' or 'bei' with the dative: 'im Mondlicht' (in the moonlight) or 'bei Mondlicht' (by moonlight).
EXAMPLE
Im Mondlicht sah der See magisch aus.
In the moonlight, the lake looked magical.
Style and atmosphere
'Mondlicht' (moonlight) is often used to create a romantic, mysterious, or poetic mood. It is a typical word in poems, songs, and literary descriptions.
EXAMPLE
Sie tanzten unter dem Sternenhimmel nur im Mondlicht.
They danced under the starry sky, lit only by moonlight.
Compare with
Mondlicht vs Mondschein
moonlight
Mondlicht and Mondschein both refer to the moonlight visible at night. Mondlicht explicitly identifies it as reflected sunlight; Mondschein describes the same light as it shines from the moon to the earth. In an ordinary nighttime scene, therefore, either word works.
Mondlicht
Das Mondlicht erhellte in dieser klaren Nacht den stillen Weg.
The moonlight illuminated the quiet path on that clear night.
Mondschein
Der Mondschein erhellte in dieser klaren Nacht den stillen Weg.
The moonlight illuminated the quiet path on that clear night.
In real life
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