transparente
/tɾanspaˈɾente/
The English phrase 'see through' can be translated into Spanish using the adjective transparente.
The word transparente is used to describe something that is transparent or see-through. If you are referring to the literal action of looking through something, you would use the phrase Ver a través de.
Meaning: avoid being deceived (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word translúcido/a is a translation for see through when referring to something that allows light to pass through.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾanspaˈɾente/
Did you know?
- In Spanish architecture, a transparente is a specific type of opening in a church wall that allows a person to see through to an altar or a sacred object in another room.
- While 'transparente' describes physical clarity, if you want to say you 'see through' someone's lies or deceptions, you would more naturally say that you 'le ves las intenciones' (you see their intentions).
- The word transparente originates from the Latin transpareō, which combines 'across' and 'to appear' or 'to be visible'.
Examples in context
- Tu vestido transparente realmente me excita.Your see-through dress really excites me.This sentence illustrates the use of transparente to describe a garment.Tatoeba #12442044 by emma_zunz, translation #538227 by FeuDRenais
- La cortina es translúcidaThe curtain is see-through
- El vidrio es transparenteThe glass is see-through
- Puedo ver a través de su mentiraI can see through his/her lie
- La tela es translúcidaThe fabric is see-through
- El plástico es translúcidoThe plastic is see-through
Example conversation
Javier tries to make an excuse for being late.
- JavierPerdona, Sofía, hubo mucho tráfico hoy.Sorry, Sofía, there was a lot of traffic today.
- SofíaTu excusa es muy transparente, Javier.Your excuse is very transparent, Javier.
- JavierLo siento, me quedé dormido.I'm sorry, I overslept.
- SofíaYa sabía que me estabas mintiendo.I already knew you were lying to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry transparente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries transparente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
