foco
/ˈfoko/masculine
In Spanish, 'spotlight' is translated as foco.
The word foco is the general term for a spotlight, but it is also used more broadly to refer to a light bulb or a fixed lamp. To describe someone or something that is in the focus of attention, you can use the expression En primer plano or En el centro de todas las miradas. If you want to say someone is in the public eye, the expression Estar en el candelero is used. You may also use the verb Resaltar to mean 'to stand out', or Acaparar if someone is monopolizing or hogging the attention.
Meaning: a bright lamp, especially one used to illuminate the center of attention on a stage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the word foco covers the concept of a spotlight, it can also refer to a light bulb, whereas English speakers often distinguish between the fixture and the bulb itself. For more formal contexts, the phrase foco de atención is used to specifically mean a spotlight in a figurative or formal sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun foco becomes focos in its plural form. The related verb enfocar means to illuminate with a spotlight.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfoko/
Did you know?
- In medical Spanish, foco is used to describe the center of an infection, such as a foco infeccioso.
- If you are in the public eye, you might say you are en el candelero, which literally translates to 'in the candelabra'.
- The word foco shares a common ancestor with the Spanish word fuego ('fire') and the English word 'focus'.
Examples in context
- Felicitaciones, esta noche el foco de atención estará en ti.Congratulations, tonight the spotlight will be on you.
- Todos los ojos estarán en ella, será el centro de atención de la velada.All eyes will be on her, she will be the spotlight of the evening.
- Desde que se lanzó su último álbum, él está en el candeleroSince his latest album was released, he's been in the spotlight
- Este proyecto estará en primer plano durante toda la conferenciaThis project will be in the spotlight throughout the conference
- La actriz llegó al estreno y estuvo en el centro de todas las miradasThe actress arrived at the premiere and was in the spotlight
- El cantante acaparó toda la atención en la alfombra rojaThe singer hogged all the attention on the red carpet
- El actor está bajo el foco.The actor is under the spotlight.
- El foco ilumina al cantante.The spotlight illuminates the singer.
- Necesitamos un foco más potente para el escenario.We need a more powerful spotlight for the stage.
- El foco del teatro es muy brillante.The theater spotlight is very bright.
Example conversation
Two people are preparing a theater stage.
- SofíaMateo, ¿puedes mover el foco?Mateo, can you move the spotlight?
- MateoSí, ¿dónde quieres la luz?Yes, where do you want the light?
- SofíaApunta el foco al centro del escenario.Point the spotlight to the center of the stage.
- MateoListo, ya está en posición.Done, it is now in position.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spotlight” translations and entries foco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries foco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
