How to Say “Outshine” in Italian

By •
eclissare
/e.klisˈsa.re/
The English phrase 'outshine' is translated into Italian as eclissare.
eclissare is used to describe exceeding someone or something, particularly in an obvious or flamboyant way. It is a transitive verb and is typically used with a direct object, such as eclissare qualcuno to mean 'to outshine someone'.
Meaning: to exceed something or someone else, especially in an obvious or flamboyant manner (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

The verb is literally derived from the word for 'eclipse', implying that one person or thing makes another disappear or seem insignificant by comparison.

Which one should you use?

While eclissare is the standard term, other forms exist depending on the desired tone. Primeggiare means to excel or to stand out, and Superare in brillantezza means to surpass in brilliance. In a slang context, one might use Spaccare, which literally means to split or to crack but is used to express outshining someone in a positive sense.

How does it change in a sentence?

The third-person singular present indicative form is eclissa (he/she/it eclipses), and the past participle is eclissato (eclipsed).

How do you pronounce it?

The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /e.klisˈsa.re/.

Did you know?

  • The verb eclissare can also be used reflexively as eclissarsi, which does not mean to outshine others but rather to slip away quietly or vanish from a scene.
  • While eclissare is used for outshining, the slang term spaccare literally means 'to split' or 'to crack'. It is used when someone performs so impressively that they 'break' the scene.
  • While eclissare suggests one person makes another disappear, the alternative primeggiare comes from the word primo meaning 'first', focusing on the rank of the winner rather than the erasure of the loser.

Examples in context

  • La squadra italiana primeggia nel campo del calcio
    The Italian team excels in the field of soccer
  • Questi studenti italiani spiccano per le loro capacità linguistiche
    These Italian students stand out for their linguistic skills
  • Il suo talento ha eclissato tutti gli altri concorrenti.
    His talent outshone all the other contestants.
  • Il suo talento riesce a eclissare quello degli altri.
    His talent manages to outshine that of the others.
  • Non voglio eclissare il tuo successo con il mio.
    I don't want to outshine your success with mine.
  • La nuova collezione cerca di eclissare la precedente.
    The new collection tries to outshine the previous one.

Example conversation

Lorenzo and Sofia are discussing a theater performance.

  1. Lorenzo

    L'attrice principale ha saputo eclissare tutti sul palco.
    The lead actress managed to outshine everyone on stage.
  2. Sofia

    Sì, Lorenzo, è stata davvero bravissima.
    Yes, Lorenzo, she was truly wonderful.
  3. Lorenzo

    Ha quasi eclissato la scenografia stessa.
    She almost outshone the scenery itself.
  4. Sofia

    Era pura magia, non potevo distogliere lo sguardo.
    It was pure magic, I couldn't look away.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Ida Vivian
Ida VivianHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top