blitzen
flash
Ein kurzer, heller Lichtschein, der plötzlich erscheint, zum Beispiel am Himmel bei einem Gewitter oder bei einer Kamera.
The German word "blitzen" is a verb that means "to flash" or "to blitz". It is often used in the context of lightning ("es blitzt" refers to lightning flashing during a storm) or in photographic terms when using a camera flash. "Blitzen" can also refer to the act of a speed camera taking a photo, colloquially known as "blitzing".
Words with similar meanings to "blitzen" include "aufleuchten" (to light up) and "aufblitzen" (to flash up), both emphasizing brief, luminous phenomena.
One nuance is that "blitzen" specifically emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the action, often having a visual or illuminative aspect, and may imply energy or rapid motion, which is directly related to the natural phenomenon of lightning or the quick flash of a camera.
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Examples
Autoscheinwerfer blitzen in der Nacht.verb
Car headlights flash in the night.
Es blitzt in der Ferne.verb
There is lightning in the distance.
Helle Lichter blitzen in der Ferne.verb
Bright lights flash in the distance.
Am Himmel blitzen die Sterne.verb
In the sky, the stars flash.
Seine weißen Zähne blitzten im Licht.verb
His white teeth flashed in the light.
Seine Augen blitzten vor Freude.verb
His eyes flashed with joy.
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