iluminar
/ilumiˈnaɾ/
The English verb brighten can be translated into Spanish as iluminar.
The primary and most common use of iluminar is to describe brightening a physical space or a room with light.
Meaning: make more cheerful (verb)
Which one should you use?
While iluminar refers to light, if you wish to say 'to brighten' in a figurative sense, such as brightening someone's mood, spirit or day, you should use alegrar instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle iluminado can be used as an adjective to describe something that has been brightened or lit up.
How do you pronounce it?
/ilumiˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word iluminado can refer to a person who is 'brightened' by light, but it is also used to describe a person who is 'enlightened' in a spiritual or religious sense.
- The term iluminar is used in art history to describe the process of creating 'illuminated manuscripts', where gold or silver leaf was used to brighten the pages.
- The Spanish verb iluminar is a doublet of the common word alumbrar, meaning they both descend from the same Latin roots.
Examples in context
- La lámpara iluminó la habitación en segundos.The lamp brightened the room in seconds.
- Aclaró el panorama con sus palabras esperanzadoras.He/She brightened the outlook with their hopeful words.
- ¡Tus chistes siempre animan la reunión! ¡Eres un sol!Your jokes always brighten up the gathering! You're a ray of sunshine!
- La luz ilumina la habitación.The light brightens the room.
- Tu sonrisa puede iluminar cualquier lugar.Your smile can brighten any place.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are decorating their new living room.
- JavierElena, ¿qué te parece este color?Elena, what do you think of this color?
- ElenaEs lindo, pero quiero iluminar más el espacio.It is nice, but I want to brighten the space more.
- JavierPodemos poner unas lámparas nuevas.We can put some new lamps.
- Elena¡Buena idea, Javier!Good idea, Javier!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry iluminar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iluminar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
