bleichen

to bleach (hair or teeth)

verb BLY-khen Rare

Also means

to lighten (colour)

Usage Note

bleichen means removing colour through a chemical agent. Die Haare bleichen (to bleach the hair) is done before colouring; Zähne bleichen (teeth whitening) is a dental and cosmetic procedure. Also used for sun-bleached fabric.

Examples

"Sie ließ ihre Haare beim Friseur bleichen, um anschließend eine hellere Farbe aufzutragen."

Natural Translation

She had her hair bleached at the hairdresser's in order to apply a lighter colour afterwards.

Literal Translation

She let her hair at-the hairdresser bleach, to afterwards a lighter colour to apply.

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