brillare
/brilˈla.re/
The English phrase 'sparkle' is translated into Italian as brillare.
brillare is used to describe manifesting as if by emitting sparks or to glisten.
Meaning: to manifest as if by emitting sparks, glisten (verb)
Which one should you use?
While brillare means to sparkle or shine and is often used for light and brightness, the verb scintillare is more specific to the twinkling or flickering of small points of light like stars.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form of brillare is brilla (he/she/it sparkles). The third-person plural present indicative form is brillano (they sparkle), and the gerund form is brillando (sparkling).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /brilˈla.re/.
Did you know?
- The Italian verb brillare originates from the word for the 'beryl' gemstone, which was prized in antiquity for its clarity and luster.
- If an Italian person says someone is brillante, they are not saying the person is literally glowing, but rather that they are brilliant or witty.
- The noun brillante is used both as an adjective for something that sparkles and as the specific technical term for the 'brilliant cut' of a diamond.
Examples in context
- La luce del sole fa brillare il mare.The sunlight makes the sea sparkle.
- Gli occhi di Maria scintillano quando sorride.Maria's eyes sparkle when she smiles.
- Le stelle luccicano in un cielo sereno.The stars sparkle in a clear sky.
- I gioielli della principessa brillavano e scintillavano come stelle.The princess's jewels sparkled and glittered like stars.
- Il suo sorriso ha il potere di far brillare gli occhi di tutti.Her smile has the power to make everyone's eyes sparkle.
- Le stelle brillano nel cielo.The stars sparkle in the sky.
- Le stelle iniziano a brillare nel cielo.The stars begin to sparkle in the sky.
- I diamanti possono brillare sotto la luce.Diamonds can sparkle under the light.
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are walking along the beach at night.
- ChiaraGuarda l'acqua, Francesco, inizia a brillare!Look at the water, Francesco, it is starting to sparkle!
- FrancescoHai ragione, è davvero bellissimo.You are right, it is truly beautiful.
- ChiaraLa luna fa brillare la sabbia bagnata.The moon makes the wet sand glisten.
- FrancescoSì, è una vista magica.Yes, it is a magical view.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry brillare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brillare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
