Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| brillante | /bɾiˈʝante/ |
| lustroso | /lusˈtɾoso/ |
| reluciente | /reluˈθjente/ /reluˈsjente/ |
The word 'glossy' is used to describe something having a reflective surface. Depending on the specific context, you might choose different forms: lustroso is often used to describe a healthy or rich sheen, such as in hair or polished wood, while reluciente is typically used for something that is so clean or polished that it shines, like a freshly cleaned floor or a piece of jewelry.
Which one should you use?
While brillante can mean 'glossy' (reflective), it is also the standard word for 'bright' (light) and 'brilliant' (intelligence). In the context of finishes or surfaces, the opposite of brillante is mate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective brillante must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming brillantes for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɾiˈʝante/
Did you know?
- While brillante means 'glossy' or 'bright', the phrase brillar por su ausencia describes someone who is conspicuously absent. It literally means to 'shine by one's absence'.
- The word brillante can be used as a noun to describe a diamond. In a jewelry store, a 'brilliant cut' diamond is simply called un brillante.
- The root of brillante can be traced back to the Greek word bḗrullos, which referred to a type of gemstone.
Examples in context
- El acrílico se seca hasta tener un acabado brillante.Acrylic dries to a glossy finish.Tatoeba #14049866 by Eremon, translation #11958763 by Amastan
- El automóvil tenía un acabado brillante.The car had a glossy finish.
- El piso de mármol estaba pulido y brillante.The marble floor was polished and glossy.
- Los zapatos estaban lustrados y se veían muy elegantes.The shoes were shiny and looked very elegant.
- La revista tenía páginas brillosas y fotografías de alta calidad.The magazine had glossy pages and high-quality photographs.
- ¡Mira qué reloj tan reluciente te compraste!Look at the shiny watch you bought!
- Compré unos pendientes chapados en oro que son muy brillantes.I bought some gold-plated earrings that are very shiny.
- La pintura tiene un acabado brillante.The paint has a glossy finish.
- Me gusta el papel brillante para las fotos.I like glossy paper for photos.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at a new magazine in a shop.
- María¿Te gusta esta revista de papel brillante?Do you like this glossy paper magazine?
- DanielSí, las imágenes se ven muy bien.Yes, the images look very good.
- MaríaEs muy brillante y elegante.It is very glossy and elegant.
- DanielTienes razón, vamos a comprarla.You are right, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “glossy” translations and entries brillante, lustroso, reluciente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brillante, lustroso, reluciente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
