Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| brillante | /brilˈlan.te/ |
| geniale | /d͡ʒeˈnja.le/ |
| di successo | /di sutˈt͡ʃɛs.so/ (word by word) |
The word brillante is used both literally and figuratively. Like in English, it can describe something that shines or sparkles, such as light or it can describe a person's intellect. In a different context, brillante can refer to a cut gemstone.
Which one should you use?
While brillante describes someone who is bright, talented or successful, geniale is used specifically to refer to someone possessing genius or exceptional creative insight.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective brillante is invariable for gender, so the form remains the same for both masculine and feminine subjects. To form the plural, use brillanti for both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /brilˈlan.te/.
Did you know?
- While geniale now means 'brilliant' or 'genius', its Latin ancestor geniālis originally referred to marriage or festive celebrations.
- If you want to say someone is 'genially' friendly or warm, do not use geniale. In Italian, that word is strictly reserved for high-level intellectual or creative talent.
- The Italian word successo describes both a 'success' and the act of 'happening' or 'occurring'.
Examples in context
- Ha un futuro brillante.She has a brilliant future.This sentence is useful for describing a future using brillante.Tatoeba #1543089 by Guybrush88, translation #308737 by CK
- È un artista brillante.He's a brilliant artist.This sentence is useful for describing an artist using brillante.Tatoeba #3538185 by Guybrush88, translation #3536363 by Hybrid
- È un brillante fotografo.You're a brilliant photographer.This sentence is useful for describing a photographer using brillante.Tatoeba #5570912 by Guybrush88, translation #2541141 by CK
- La sua intelligenza è brillante.His intelligence is brilliant.
- Il suo approccio alla soluzione del problema è stato geniale.His approach to problem-solving was brilliant.
- Quel film è davvero figo!That movie is really brilliant/cool!
- La sua performance al concerto è stata semplicemente stupenda.His performance at the concert was simply brilliant/stunning.
- Lavoro davvero fantastico, sei un artista!Truly brilliant work, you're an artist!
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a classmate's performance in school.
- FrancescoHai visto l'ultima prova di Sofia?Did you see Sofia's last test?
- SofiaSì, è davvero una studentessa brillante.Yes, she is truly a brilliant student.
- FrancescoHai ragione, capisce tutto subito.You're right, she understands everything immediately.
- SofiaÈ una delle persone più brillante della classe.She is one of the most brilliant people in the class.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brilliant” translations and entries brillante, geniale, di successo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (di, successo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, geniale, successo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
