éclairer

Senses

1. 1.

   to light, to illuminate

   to shine light on something; to make something visible

2. 2.

   to enlighten, to clarify

   to make something clear or understandable; to explain

3. 3.

   to inform, to shed light on

   to provide information or insight about a situation

Examples

• "Cette lampe éclaire bien la pièce."

  This lamp lights the room well.

• "Pourriez-vous m'éclairer sur cette question ? Je ne comprends pas."

  Could you clarify this question for me? I don't understand.

• "Le soleil éclairait le chemin à travers les arbres."

  The sun illuminated the path through the trees.

Usage

Éclairer is a common verb with both literal (physical light) and figurative (intellectual/informational) uses. The reflexive form s'éclairer means "to light up" or "to become clear." Often paired with prepositions like sur (about) or avec (with).