Inklingo
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brillo

/BREE-yoh/

shine

A simple illustration of a polished red apple showing a distinct, bright white highlight where light reflects off its smooth skin.

The word 'brillo' means 'shine,' like the bright reflection visible on this polished apple.

brillo(noun)

mA1

shine

?

light reflecting off a surface

,

luster

?

quality of a polished surface

Also:

gloss

?

coating or finish

,

sparkle

?

small flashes of light

📝 In Action

El brillo del sol en el agua era cegador.

A1

The shine of the sun on the water was blinding.

Necesitas pulir la madera para que recupere su brillo.

A2

You need to polish the wood so it recovers its luster.

Ella se puso brillo labial antes de salir.

A2

She put on lip gloss before going out.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • lustre (luster)
  • esplendor (splendor)

Antonyms

  • opacidad (dullness)

Common Collocations

  • perder el brillo – to lose its shine
  • dar brillo – to polish/make shiny

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Even though 'brillo' ends in 'o', which is common for masculine nouns, remember that it always uses the masculine article 'el' (el brillo).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Noun vs. Adjective

Mistake: "Using 'brillo' when you mean 'shiny' (adjective). E.g., 'El coche es brillo.'"

Correction: Use the adjective 'brillante' instead. E.g., 'El coche es brillante.' ('brillo' is the quality, 'brillante' describes the thing.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Brillo' as 'Lip Gloss'

In many places, especially relating to makeup, 'brillo' is a quick way to say 'lip gloss' (brillo labial).

An illustration of a character with a large, intensely bright, radiating star floating above their head, symbolizing a brilliant idea or intellectual insight.

Another meaning for 'brillo' is 'brilliance,' often referring to intellectual or creative genius, symbolized by a bright idea.

brillo(noun)

mB1

brilliance

?

intellectual or creative quality

,

talent

?

natural skill or aptitude

Also:

splendor

?

magnificence or glory

,

intensity

?

of performance or emotion

📝 In Action

El joven escritor mostró un brillo intelectual que sorprendió a todos.

B1

The young writer showed an intellectual brilliance that surprised everyone.

La actriz actuó con un brillo inigualable en el escenario.

B2

The actress performed with unparalleled brilliance (or intensity) on stage.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • genialidad (genius)
  • talento (talent)

Antonyms

  • mediocridad (mediocrity)

Common Collocations

  • con brillo propio – with their own brilliance (standing out)
  • un brillo en los ojos – a sparkle/gleam in the eyes (of excitement)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

Think of this meaning as describing someone or something that 'shines' or stands out because of its quality or skill.

✏️ 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

brillar(to shine) - verb
brillante(shiny, brilliant) - adjective
abrillantador(polisher, shining agent) - noun

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').