λαμπρός
lamprós
The Greek word for brilliant is λαμπρός (lamprós).
λαμπρός can be used to describe something as brilliant or bright in both a literal and a figurative sense. While it can mean highly intelligent, it is more frequently used to describe something that is bright, shining or splendid in a physical or metaphorical way.
Meaning: highly intelligent (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The masculine form is λαμπρός, the feminine form is λαμπρή and the neuter form is λαμπρό. For plural forms, use λαμπροί for masculine plural and λαμπρές for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
lamprós
Did you know?
- The root of λαμπρός is found in the English word 'lamp', as both stem from the same ancient concept of light and shining.
- Ancient Greek writers used λαμπρός not just for intelligence or light, but to describe the 'brilliance' of a person's social status or the luxury of their clothing.
- In Greek, the concept of being 'brilliant' is often associated with 'light'. If someone is truly genius, a Greek speaker might describe their mind as φωτεινό, which literally means 'lighted'.
Examples in context
- Η παράσταση ήταν λαμπρήThe performance was brilliant.
- Ο ήλιος ήταν λαμπρόςThe sun was brilliant.
- Αυτή η ταινία ήταν φοβερήThat movie was brilliant.
- Η παρουσίαση σου ήταν τέλειαYour presentation was brilliant.
- Η επίδειξη ήταν απίστευτα λαμπρήThe exhibition was incredibly brilliant.
- Ήταν μια φοβερά τέλεια συναυλίαIt was a brilliantly amazing concert.
- Ο ζωγράφος δημιούργησε ένα έργο τέχνης με λαμπρά χρώματα.The painter created a work of art with brilliant colors.
- Είναι ένας λαμπρός επιστήμονας.Einai enas lampros epistimonas.He is a brilliant scientist.
- Ο μαθητής είναι λαμπρός.O mathitis einai lampros.The student is brilliant.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new professor.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈγνωσες τον νέο καθηγητή, Νίκο;Egnoses ton neo kathigiti, Niko?Did you meet the new professor, Nikos?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, είναι πραγματικά λαμπρός.Nai, einai pragmatika lamvros.Yes, he is truly brilliant.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠιστεύω ότι θα μας βοηθήσει πολύ.Pistevo oti tha mas voithisi poly.I believe he will help us a lot.
- Νίκος NikosΣυμφωνώ απόλυτα, Κυριακή.Symfono apolytas, Kyriaki.I completely agree, Kyriaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry λαμπρός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries λαμπρός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
