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brillar means to shine — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 28, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

brillar

verb • /[bree-YAR]/

to shine

Example:

Tus ojos brillan con destellos de esperanza.

Your eyes shine with sparks of hope.

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🧠 What does brillar mean?

Brillar is a beautiful and versatile Spanish verb that primarily means "to shine." It can refer to the literal shining of light, like the sun or a star, but it can also be used figuratively to describe someone excelling or standing out in a particular area. Think of someone whose personality shines or a student who shines in their studies.

📚 Extra examples

  • El sol brilla en el cielo.
    The sun shines in the sky.
  • Las estrellas brillaban intensamente.
    The stars were shining brightly.
  • Ella brilla en el escenario.
    She shines on stage.
  • Su talento brilla sobre los demás.
    His talent shines above the others.
  • Mis zapatos brillan después de limpiarlos.
    My shoes shine after cleaning them.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to shine' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to shine' in Spanish is 'brillar'.
How do you pronounce 'brillar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced bree-YAR, with the stress on the second syllable.
How do you use 'brillar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El sol brilla.' (The sun shines.), 'Ella brilla en su trabajo.' (She shines in her work.)
What is the English translation of 'brillar'?
The primary translation is 'to shine,' but it can also mean 'to sparkle,' 'to gleam,' or 'to excel,' depending on the context.
Does 'brillar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like all Spanish verbs, 'brillar' conjugates according to the subject. For example, 'yo brillo' (I shine), 'él brilla' (he shines), 'ellos brillan' (they shine).
Is 'brillar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'brillar' is a relatively common verb used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Does 'brillar' have slang or double meanings?
While 'brillar' doesn't have any direct slang meanings, its figurative use to describe excellence can be considered somewhat informal in certain contexts.
Is 'brillar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'brillar' are generally consistent across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'brillar' in Spanish?
Here's a simple present tense conjugation: Yo brillo, Tú brillas, Él/Ella/Usted brilla, Nosotros/as brillamos, Vosotros/as brilláis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes brillan. You'll find more complete conjugations in our verb conjugation resources.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "brillar"

Synonyms: resplandecer, relucir, destellar, fulgurar
Opposites: opacar, oscurecer

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'brillar' comes from the Latin word 'beryllare', meaning 'to shine like a beryl', a type of precious stone.

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