to blur
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to blur
To lose the clear outlines or boundaries of something and become blurry or indistinct. This can refer to visual impressions or colors.
Durch den Regen verschwammen die Lichter der Stadt zu bunten Flecken.
Because of the rain, the city lights blurred into colorful patches.
to blur
In a figurative sense: The clear differences or boundaries between abstract things such as ideas, memories, or responsibilities become unclear and mix together.
In diesem Projekt verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit.
In this project, the boundaries between work and free time are blurring.
The verb is made up of 'ver-' and 'schwimmen' (to swim). You can imagine it visually: the clear outlines 'swim' away and dissolve until they become unclear.
Im Nebel verschwammen die Umrisse der Bäume.
In the fog, the outlines of the trees blurred.
Since 'verschwimmen' (to blur) describes a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
Die Farben auf dem nassen Papier sind ineinander verschwommen.
The colors on the wet paper have blurred into one another.
In the figurative meaning, 'verschwimmen' (to blur) is very often used with the noun 'die Grenzen' (the boundaries). The phrase 'die Grenzen verschwimmen' (the boundaries blur) is a fixed combination.
In ihrem Job verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen Arbeit und Privatleben oft.
In her job, the boundaries between work and private life often blur.
to get lost / to proceed
When talking about colors, verlaufen describes uncontrolled flowing and mixing. Verschwimmen, by contrast, focuses mainly on the result: outlines and boundaries become blurred. When the movement of the color is important, verlaufen is the right choice; when the lack of sharpness is the focus, verschwimmen is more appropriate.
Durch die Feuchtigkeit verschwammen die Grenzen zwischen der blauen und der gelben Fläche.
Because of the moisture, the boundaries between the blue and yellow areas blurred.
Auf dem nassen Papier verlief die blaue Farbe in die gelbe Fläche.
On the wet paper, the blue paint ran into the yellow area.
