to dazzle / deceive / clad
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to dazzle
To dazzle someone with bright light, especially from headlights, so strongly that they temporarily cannot see anything.
Das entgegenkommende Auto hat mich mit seinem Fernlicht völlig verblendet.
The oncoming car completely dazzled me with its high beams.
to deceive
To deceive or mislead someone so that the person can no longer see reality clearly. Often through wealth, power, or beauty.
Lass dich nicht von seinem Charme verblenden; er ist nicht ehrlich.
Don't let yourself be deceived by his charm; he isn't honest.
to clad
In construction, to cover a wall or facade with an outer layer made of another material, such as clinker brick or panels.
Die Betonwand wurde nachträglich mit schönen Klinkerriemchen verblendet.
The concrete wall was later clad with attractive clinker brick slips.
'Verblenden' is an inseparable verb because it begins with the prefix 'ver-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb 'blenden' (to dazzle/blind) in all tenses and sentence constructions.
Er hat sich von dem schnellen Erfolg verblenden lassen.
He let himself be blinded by the quick success.
You can recognize the meaning of 'verblenden' from the context. If it is about light and traffic, it means dazzling or blinding. If it is about character and deception, the figurative meaning is intended. In the context of construction and architecture, it refers to cladding walls.
Der Fahrer des LKW hat mich kurz verblendet.
The truck driver briefly dazzled me.
In the figurative meaning, the passive construction 'sich von etwas verblenden lassen' (to let oneself be deceived/blinded by something) is often used. It emphasizes that a person falls for a deception.
Sie hat sich von seinem guten Aussehen verblenden lassen.
She let herself be deceived by his good looks.
In the technical context, the verb follows the pattern 'etwas (accusative) mit etwas (dative) verblenden' (to clad something with something). The preposition 'mit' is crucial here.
Der Architekt hat die Fassade mit Natursteinplatten verblendet.
The architect clad the facade with natural stone panels.
to deceive / to be mistaken
„Täuschen“ generally refers to creating a false impression or leading someone to make a wrong judgment. „Verblenden“ is more specific: a strong fascination, for example with beauty or wealth, clouds someone’s judgment so that they can no longer see reality clearly. „Täuschen“ is appropriate for simple deception, while „verblenden“ can also be used when something has a fascinating effect.
Die prachtvolle Fassade verblendete die Besucher, sodass sie den schlechten Zustand des Hauses übersahen.
The magnificent facade dazzled the visitors, so they overlooked the poor condition of the house.
Die elegante Fassade täuschte die Besucher über den schlechten Zustand des Hauses.
The elegant facade deceived visitors about the poor condition of the house.
