How to Say "to dazzle" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to dazzle” is “deslumbrar” — use 'deslumbrar' when referring to being temporarily blinded by a strong physical light, like sunlight or headlights..
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.
cegar
/seh-GAHR//θeˈɣaɾ/
Examples
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'.
Spelling Error in the Past
Mistake: “Yo cegé.”
Correction: Yo cegué. (We need the 'u' to keep the 'g' sounding hard, like 'game').
Distinguishing between 'deslumbrar' and 'cegar'
Related Translations
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