brillante
Lemma Details
Translation: brilliant; bright; shining; sparkling; dazzling; outstanding; excellent
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'brillare' meaning 'to shine' or 'to sparkle'. The word shares the same Latin root as the English 'brilliant'. It entered Spanish through Old French 'briller'. The concept relates to the visual quality of light reflecting off a polished surface, which later extended metaphorically to describe exceptional intelligence or performance.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'brilliant' diamond that's 'brillante' in Spanish.
- Remember that both English 'brilliant' and Spanish 'brillante' share the same root and similar meaning.
- Visualize something so bright it makes you squint - that's 'brillante'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'brillante' is commonly used to describe both physical brightness and intellectual or artistic excellence. It's frequently used in academic contexts to praise exceptional performance.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Brillante' is an adjective meaning 'brilliant' or 'bright', while 'brillo' is a noun meaning 'shine' or 'brightness'.
Notes: These words are related but serve different grammatical functions.
Mnemonic: 'Brillante' ends with '-ante' like many Spanish adjectives, while 'brillo' is the noun form.
Explanation: 'Brillante' is an adjective describing something that shines, while 'brillar' is the verb 'to shine'.
Notes: The adjective 'brillante' often describes something that performs the action of 'brillar'.
Mnemonic: 'Brillar' ends with '-ar' like many Spanish verbs, while 'brillante' is the adjective form.