luz
/ˈluθ/
The Spanish word for light is luz.
luz is the most straightforward and universally understood term for light in Spanish, referring to the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
Which one should you use?
While luz is the general term, iluminación is used when referring to the concept of lighting in a more formal way and lucecitas is an informal way to refer to small or twinkling lights.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Latin America, the word foco may be used specifically to refer to a light bulb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun luz is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la to form la luz (the light).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈluθ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, la luz is used as shorthand to refer to electricity, such as when saying se fue la luz to mean there is a power outage.
- While luz refers to light, the word lucero is used for a bright star or the morning star, which is often used as a term of endearment for children.
- The word luz shares a distant ancestral root with the English word 'lucid', which describes things that are clear or easy to understand.
Examples in context
- El interruptor controla la luz de la habitación.The switch controls the light in the room.
- Me encantan las lucecitas en el árbol de Navidad.I love the little lights on the Christmas tree.
- Abre las cortinas para que entre más claridad en la habitación.Open the curtains to let more light into the room.
- Luz naturalNatural light
- Luz artificialLight produced by man-made sources
- Luz tenueDim or soft light
- Luz cegadoraBlinding or dazzling light
- Luz blancaWhite light
- Luz amarillaYellow light
- Luz azulBlue light
- Luz rojaRed light
- Apaga la luz, por favor.Turn off the light, please.
- La luz del sol es muy fuerte.The sunlight is very strong.
- Necesito más luz para leer este libro.I need more light to read this book.
- La luz de la luna es hermosa.The moonlight is beautiful.
Example conversation
Javier and María are in a living room during a power outage.
- Javier¿Puedes encender la luz, María?Can you turn on the light, María?
- MaríaNo hay luz en toda la casa.There is no light in the whole house.
- JavierQué problema, no veo nada sin luz.What a problem, I can't see anything without light.
- MaríaUsa la linterna de mi teléfono.Use my phone's flashlight.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry luz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries luz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
