Sichtbar

Sichtbar is a German adjective meaning visible or perceivable with the senses. It describes objects, phenomena, or signals that can be seen under normal conditions, or detected by observers.

The word is formed from the noun Sicht (sight) with the suffix -bar, which denotes “able to be.” The related noun is Sichtbarkeit, meaning visibility, while the opposite adjective is unsichtbar (invisible). In everyday language, sichtbar can also carry nuances of conspicuity or clarity, as in sichthbar representations or noticeable changes.

Common phrases include das sichtbare Licht (visible light), das sichtbare Spektrum (visible spectrum), and sichtbar machen (to render visible). In German, it is frequently used to describe what can be seen without aid or with ordinary perception, as well as to indicate readability or recognizability.

In science, sichtbares Licht refers to the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum detectable by the human eye, roughly from about 380 to 750 nanometers. This range corresponds to colors from violet to red and forms the basis for discussions of color perception, vision research, and related technologies. Outside of physics, the term is also used metaphorically to denote obviousness or transparency in information, such as sichtbarere Ergebnisse or eine sichtbare Verbesserung.