beleuchten
Translation
to illuminate, to light up, to shed light on, to examine
Examples
Die Lampe beleuchtet den ganzen Raum.
The lamp illuminates the whole room.
Wir müssen das Problem genauer beleuchten.
We need to examine the problem more closely.
Grammar Patterns
to illuminate ((sth.)) to illuminate ((sth.)) The spotlights illuminate the stage.
to examine ((sth.)) more closely to examine ((sth.)) more closely We should examine this point more closely.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (literal) erhellen; (figurative) untersuchen, klären; Antonyms: verdunkeln
Etymology
Prefix 'be-' + verb 'leuchten' (to shine). The prefix 'be-' makes it a transitive verb, meaning 'to put light on something'.
Memory Tips
Think of putting a light on something, both literally (a room) and figuratively (a problem to 'shed light on' it).