brillo
“brillo” means “shine” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
shine, luster
Also: gloss, sparkle
📝 In Action
El brillo del sol en el agua era cegador.
A1The shine of the sun on the water was blinding.
Necesitas pulir la madera para que recupere su brillo.
A2You need to polish the wood so it recovers its luster.
Ella se puso brillo labial antes de salir.
A2She put on lip gloss before going out.
brilliance, talent
Also: splendor, intensity
📝 In Action
El joven escritor mostró un brillo intelectual que sorprendió a todos.
B1The young writer showed an intellectual brilliance that surprised everyone.
La actriz actuó con un brillo inigualable en el escenario.
B2The actress performed with unparalleled brilliance (or intensity) on stage.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "brillo" in Spanish:
brilliance→gloss→intensity→luster→shine→sparkle→splendor→talent→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: brillo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'brillo' in its figurative sense (meaning talent or greatness)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'brillo' comes directly from the Spanish verb 'brillar' (to shine). This verb entered Spanish from Italian 'brillare', which itself is linked to the Latin word *bēryllus*, meaning 'beryl,' a sparkling green gemstone.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'brillo' related to the English word 'brilliant'?
Yes, they share the same root! Both come from the idea of 'shining' or 'sparkling.' In Spanish, 'brillante' is the adjective (brilliant/shiny) and 'brillo' is the noun (the shine/brilliance).
How do I say 'to shine' using this word?
'Brillo' is the noun (the shine). To talk about the action of shining, you must use the verb 'brillar' (e.g., 'Las estrellas brillan').