Brilliant
Significado: Excellent, wonderful (British emphasis)
While 'brilliant' exists in all forms of English to describe something shining or intellectually outstanding, British English uses it far more freely as enthusiastic praise for anything good. A meal can be brilliant, a film can be brilliant, even just acknowledging something can be 'Brilliant!' It's become such a reflexive response that it sometimes carries little more meaning than 'okay, good.'
Ejemplos
- That was absolutely brilliant! 那真的太棒了！¡Eso fue absolutamente genial!あれは本当に最高だった！그거 정말 최고였어!
- The concert was brilliant—you should have been there. 演唱会太精彩了，你应该去的El concierto fue genial, deberías haber estado allíコンサートは素晴らしかったよ。来ればよかったのに콘서트 정말 대단했어—너도 왔으면 좋았을 텐데.
- Brilliant, I'll see you at eight then. 太好了，那我们八点见Genial, nos vemos a las ocho entoncesいいね、じゃあ8時にね좋아, 그럼 8시에 보자.
- She's a brilliant cook.她做饭特别好Es una cocinera fantástica彼女は料理がすごく上手だよ그녀는 요리 솜씨가 정말 뛰어나.
- Oh brilliant, another rainy day.' (sarcastic)讽刺sarcástico皮肉아 좋겠다, 또 비 오는 날이네. (비꼬는 말)
Pronunciación
/ˈbrɪljənt/
Guía de uso
Contexto: friends, family, work, casual formal
Tono: enthusiastic, approving, sometimes sarcastic
✓ Correcto
- That's brilliant!太好了！¡Genial!素晴らしい！훌륭해!
- Brilliant, thank you.那太棒了。Eso es genial.それは最高だ。그거 대단하다.
- What a brilliant idea!绝对精彩。Absolutamente genial.本当に素晴らしい。정말 훌륭해.
✗ Incorrecto
- Be aware of tone—can sound sarcastic if delivered flatly非常英式的用法Uso muy británicoとてもイギリス的な用法매우 영국식 용법
- Overuse can make it lose impact美国人不会这么随意地使用Los estadounidenses lo usan menos de manera informalアメリカ人はこんなにカジュアルには使わない미국인은 이렇게 캐주얼하게 쓰지 않음
Errores comunes
- Americans may find excessive use of 'brilliant' unusual
- Can sound sarcastic—be aware of your tone
Origen e historia
The word 'brilliant' comes from French 'brillant' (sparkling), originally describing light and gems. Its evolution into British slang for 'excellent' happened gradually through the 20th century. The British tendency to use it for general approval—not just for things that are intellectually or visually brilliant—distinguishes British usage from American.
Etimología: From French 'brillant' (sparkling, shining), extended metaphorically to mean excellent
Primera vez registrado: Slang usage common from mid-20th century
Contexto cultural
Era: Mid-20th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: The Guinness 'Brilliant!' advertising campaign; Dr Who frequently says 'Brilliant!'
Regional notes: Very British usage. Americans would more likely say 'awesome' or 'great' in the same contexts.
Variaciones
Frases relacionadas
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