deslustrado
/deslustɾado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tarnished" is translated into Spanish as deslustrado.
deslustrado describes something that has lost its luster, brilliance or shine. This can refer literally to a metal surface that has oxidized or figuratively to a reputation that has been damaged.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the prefix des- (signifying the undoing or removal of something) and lustrado (meaning polished or bright), literally translating to unpolished or having had its luster removed.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, deslustrado must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, use deslustrada for feminine singular nouns like reputación and use deslustrados for masculine plural nouns like metales.
How do you pronounce it?
/deslustɾado/
Did you know?
- While deslustrado refers to a loss of shine, Spanish speakers often use the verb empañar to describe a tarnished reputation. This word literally means 'to fog up' or 'to cloud' a surface like a mirror.
- To describe a reputation that has been tarnished, Spanish often uses the word manchada, which means 'stained'. This changes the metaphor from a loss of light to a permanent mark on fabric.
- The root lustre in deslustrado is used in the common phrase dar lustre, which means to bring prestige or honor to a group.
Examples in context
- La plata antigua de mi bisabuela está deslustrada.My great-grandmother's antique silver is tarnished.
- ¿Viste qué deslucida está la superficie de esta guitarra?Have you noticed how tarnished the surface of this guitar looks?
- El candelabro de plata está empañado, necesitará ser pulido.The silver candelabra is tarnished, it will need to be polished.
- Estos cubiertos están opacados, ¡quizás sea hora de darles un buen pulido!These utensils are tarnished, maybe it's time to give them a good polish!
- Su reputación se ha visto deslustrada por el escándalo.His reputation has been tarnished by the scandal.
- El metal deslustrado perdió su brillo original.The tarnished metal lost its original brightness.
- El metal deslustrado parece muy viejo.The tarnished metal looks very old.
- Su nombre quedó deslustrado por el escándalo.His name was tarnished by the scandal.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at an old family heirloom.
- MateoMira este candelabro, está muy deslustrado.Look at this candelabra, it is very tarnished.
- LucíaTienes razón, Mateo. Necesita una limpieza.You are right, Mateo. It needs a cleaning.
- Mateo¿Crees que podamos recuperar el brillo?Do you think we can get the shine back?
- LucíaSí, Lucía puede ayudar a pulirlo.Yes, Lucía can help polish it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
