How to Say "to blind" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to blind” is “cegar” — use 'cegar' when referring to a complete or significant loss of vision, whether literal or figurative, such as being blinded by strong emotions like hatred or anger..
cegar
/seh-GAHR//θeˈɣaɾ/
Examples
El odio lo cegó y no pudo ver la verdad.
Hatred blinded him and he couldn't see the truth.
La luz del sol me cegó por un momento.
The sunlight blinded me for a moment.
El flash de la cámara puede cegar a los bebés.
The camera flash can dazzle babies.
Ese reflejo es tan fuerte que ciega a los conductores.
That reflection is so strong that it blinds drivers.
The 'E' to 'IE' Change
For most forms, the 'e' in the middle of 'cegar' changes to 'ie' when you emphasize it (like 'yo ciego'). This doesn't happen in the 'we' (nosotros) or 'you all' (vosotros) forms.
Spelling Change for Sound
When the verb ending starts with an 'e' (like in the past 'yo' form), we add a 'u' after the 'g' (cegué) to keep the hard 'g' sound. Without the 'u', it would sound like an 'h'.
Using 'por' with Feelings
When you are 'blinded' by an emotion, use 'por' (by) to describe what is causing it, like 'cegado por los celos' (blinded by jealousy).
Spelling Error in the Past
Mistake: “Yo cegé.”
Correction: Yo cegué. (We need the 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding hard, like 'game').
deslumbrar
des-loom-BRAR/deslumˈbɾaɾ/
Examples
El sol me deslumbra cuando conduzco por la tarde.
The sun dazzles me when I drive in the afternoon.
Las luces largas del otro coche nos deslumbraron.
The high beams from the other car blinded us.
Cierra las cortinas para que el reflejo no te deslumbre.
Close the curtains so the reflection doesn't dazzle you.
Using 'me' with deslumbrar
When the sun or a light blinds you, use 'me' (or te, le, etc.) to show who is being affected: 'El sol me deslumbra'.
Deslumbrar vs. Alumbrar
Mistake: “Alumbrar el camino con luces demasiado fuertes.”
Correction: Use 'alumbrar' to say you are providing light so you can see. Use 'deslumbrar' when there is TOO MUCH light and you CANNOT see.
Cegear vs. Deslumbrar
Related Translations
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