neon
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neon light
A fluorescent tube filled with neon gas that glows brightly when electricity passes through it. It is often used for illuminated advertising signs and also generally refers to their glaring light.
Die Bar war schon von weitem am blinkenden Neon der Reklame zu erkennen.
The bar could already be recognized from far away by the blinking neon of the sign.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about light, advertising, signs, or colors, it refers to the neon light or tube. In a scientific text about chemistry or physics, it refers to the chemical element.
Die bunte Neonreklame beleuchtete die ganze Straße.
The colorful neon sign lit up the whole street.
When it is about light, 'Neon' (neon) often appears in compound words such as 'Neonreklame' (neon advertising/sign), 'Neonschild' (neon sign), 'Neonröhre' (neon tube), or 'Neonlicht' (neon light). Typical adjectives are 'grell' (glaring/bright) or 'bunt' (colorful).
Über dem Eingang hing ein grelles Neonschild.
A glaring neon sign hung above the entrance.
The meaning 'chemical element' is used almost exclusively in the technical language of the natural sciences, especially chemistry and physics.
Das chemische Symbol für Neon ist Ne.
The chemical symbol for neon is Ne.
helium
'Neon' and 'Helium' are both names of chemical elements, and both are gases. That is why they can easily be confused. 'Neon' is often known from bright fluorescent tubes or illuminated advertising signs; it also refers to this glaring light. As an element, neon is a noble gas. 'Helium', on the other hand, is especially light and is used, for example, for balloons. When it is about colorful advertising or fluorescent tubes, 'Neon' fits. When a balloon rises upward, 'Helium' is usually meant.
Über dem Eingang leuchtet das Neon der alten Bar.
The neon of the old bar glows above the entrance.
Für die Feier füllt Sofia die Ballons mit Helium.
Sofia fills the balloons with helium for the celebration.