diáfanas

Diáfanas is the feminine plural form of the Spanish adjective diáfana, used to describe something that is transparent, translucent, or light-permitting. The term conveys a sense of clarity that allows light or perception to pass with little obstruction. In common usage, diáfanas can refer to materials, surfaces, or spaces that feel bright and unsealed, as well as to more abstract qualities such as lucidity in writing or thought.

Etymology and scope: diáfana comes from the Greek diaphanēs, through Latin diaphanus, and entered Spanish with the sense of shining through or appearing clearly. The semantic range includes physical transparency (for example, water, glass, or sheer fabrics) and architectural or stylistic openness (espacio diáfano).

Contexts and examples: In architecture and interior design, an espacio diáfano describes an open-plan area with few internal partitions, emphasizing light and versatility. In textiles, telas diáfanas or cortinas diáfanas refer to sheer, light-transmitting fabrics. In literature and aesthetics, imagery described as diáfana conveys clarity, simplicity, and immediacy, often with a lyrical or minimalist tone. Example phrases include paredes diáfanas, cortinas diáfanas, or un poema diáfano.

Related terms and usage notes: In practice, diáfanas resembles synonyms such as transparente, límpido, and translúcido, though diáfano often implies both light and openness. The opposite concept is opaco. The plural form diáfanas modifies feminine plural nouns (las paredes diáfanas, las cortinas diáfanas). See also diáfano and related architectural vocabulary.