verb
lüften
air out
Definition & meaning
lüften is a regular German verb with several related meanings:
-
To air, ventilate
- To let fresh air into a room by opening a window or door.
- Ich lüfte jeden Morgen das Schlafzimmer. — “I air the bedroom every morning.”
- It can also mean to air clothing, bedding, or other objects.
-
To reveal or uncover something hidden
- Usually used figuratively for a secret, mystery, or hidden fact.
- Das Geheimnis wurde endlich gelüftet. — “The secret was finally revealed.”
- Die Polizei lüftete das Rätsel. — “The police solved the mystery.”
-
To lift slightly
- Often used for lifting a hat as a greeting or gesture of respect.
- Er lüftete höflich seinen Hut. — “He politely tipped his hat.”
Grammar & Word origin
- Verb: lüften
- Regular verb
- Present tense: ich lüfte
- Simple past: ich lüftete
- Past participle: gelüftet
- Auxiliary verb: haben
- Imperative: lüfte!
- Related noun: {die Luft} — “air”
The verb is derived from {die Luft} with the verb-forming suffix -en. The umlaut in lüften reflects its connection with Luft.
Synonyms & antonyms
Meaning “to ventilate”
- {belüften} — to ventilate; more formal and often used for buildings, rooms, or technical systems.
- {durchlüften} — to air thoroughly or let air circulate completely.
- {frische Luft hereinlassen} — literally “to let fresh air in”; an explanatory phrase.
Antonyms:
- {schließen} — to close, especially a window or door.
- {abdichten} — to seal or make airtight; stronger and more technical than simply not ventilating.
Meaning “to reveal”
- {aufdecken} — to uncover or expose hidden information; often stronger and more deliberate.
- {enthüllen} — to unveil or disclose, often in a formal or public context.
- {aufklären} — to clarify or solve, especially a case or mystery.
Antonyms:
- {verheimlichen} — to conceal deliberately.
- {verschweigen} — to keep silent about something or withhold information.
- {verbergen} — to hide something or keep it out of sight.
Common phrases & collocations
- {das Zimmer lüften} — to air the room
- {regelmäßig lüften} — to ventilate regularly
- {die Wohnung lüften} — to air the apartment
- {das Geheimnis lüften} — to reveal the secret
- {ein Rätsel lüften} — to solve or uncover a mystery
- {den Hut lüften} — to tip one’s hat
- {Stoßlüften} — to ventilate a room intensively for a short time by opening the windows wide
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Examples
Wir lüften das Zimmer jeden Morgen.verb
We air out the room every morning.
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