brillare

Brillare is an Italian verb meaning to shine or glitter. It can describe a physical light source, a reflective surface, or something that stands out for brightness, beauty, or excellence. Metaphorically, brillare is used to express success, talent, or prominence, as in a performance that “brilla” or a person who “brilla per intelligenza” (shines with intelligence).

Usage patterns include: la luna brilla nel cielo (the moon shines); un gioiello che brilla al sole (a jewel that glitters in the sun). Common expressions include “brillare di gioia” (to beam with joy) and “brillare sul palcoscenico” (to shine on stage). Brillare is intransitive in most contexts, though it can take di or per to indicate the cause of brightness.

Conjugation. Brillare is a regular -are verb: present indicative io brillo, tu brilli, lui/lei brilla, noi brilliamo, voi brillate, loro brillano. Passato prossimo: ho brillato; imperfetto: brillavo; futuro: brillerò; condizionale: brillerei; congiuntivo: che io brilli, che noi brilliamo; gerund: brillando; participio passato: brillato.

Etymology and related terms. The verb is of native Italian origin, connected with the idea of brightness. Related forms include brillante (adjective) meaning brilliant or bright, and brillanza (brilliance). Synonyms include splendere, luccicare, and risplendere.