brillantes
/bree-YAHN-tehs/
bright
Brillantes (bright) describes something that is illuminated and full of light, like the sun shining brightly.
brillantes(Adjective)
bright
?illuminated, full of light
,brilliant
?exceptionally clever or talented
shiny
?having a polished surface
,sparkling
?glittering
📝 In Action
Las luces de la ciudad son muy brillantes.
A2The city lights are very bright.
Tuvieron ideas brillantes para resolver el problema.
B1They had brilliant ideas to solve the problem.
Los colores de sus cuadros eran increíblemente brillantes.
B2The colors in his paintings were incredibly vibrant (bright).
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'brillantes' ends in -es, it is used to describe two or more things. It works for both masculine nouns (los focos brillantes) and feminine nouns (las estrellas brillantes).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular Form Incorrectly
Mistake: "Los soles es brillante."
Correction: Los soles son brillantes. Remember to match the plural subject (soles) with the plural adjective (-es).
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Light
Use 'brillantes' not just for things that shine, but also for people, ideas, or performances that are outstanding and impressive.
Brillantes can also refer to cut gemstones, commonly known as diamonds.
📝 In Action
El collar estaba adornado con pequeños brillantes.
B1The necklace was adorned with small diamonds.
El joyero mostró los brillantes más grandes que tenía.
B2The jeweler showed the largest jewels (diamonds) he had.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun vs. Adjective
When used as a noun, 'brillantes' refers specifically to the precious stones. When used as an adjective, it describes the quality of shining (e.g., 'zapatos brillantes' - shiny shoes).
⭐ Usage Tips
Alternative Word
While 'brillantes' is often used for diamonds, the more specific word is 'diamantes.' Using 'brillantes' emphasizes the stone's sparkle and cut.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: brillantes
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'brillantes' as a noun (referring to jewels)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'brillantes' always plural?
Yes, 'brillantes' is the plural form of the word 'brillante.' If you are talking about just one shining object or one diamond, you would use the singular form: 'brillante'.
What is the difference between 'brillantes' and 'diamantes'?
Both can refer to diamonds. 'Diamantes' is the general word for the stone. 'Brillantes' specifically emphasizes the cut (the 'brilliant cut') and the sparkle of the stone, though it is often used interchangeably with 'diamantes' in jewelry contexts.