¡Qué vivas con mucha ilusión!

Question

I've got quite a feeling that the word 'Ilusión' has a different meaning every time someone speaks it. Sometimes I can't grab it and I need help from you guys. What are the meanings of the word 'Ilusión'? Can it switch to positive to negative depending on intonation or context? Does it mean 'dream' in the sense of having a vision during asleep or having a goal to accomplish?

I vote for you, it's on all the lottery posters here.. Que mantengas la ilusión! - annierats, Sep 5, 2014

Answer 1

As Julian says, or if you want it in English , it can mean 'hope' , or something you're looking forward to. A big difference from the English meaning of illusion can be seen in a common dental advert here ' mantener la ilusión de una sonrisa' ( vitaldent)

At a glance the illusion of a smile, would in English be disastrous for advertising purposes... Here it means to dream of a beautiful smile, to hope for one, to aim for one..Keep dreaming of one! ( it only costs money)

That's exactly what I was waiting for but couldn't realize myself, thank you so much AnnieRats - samrodrigue_z, Sep 7, 2014

De nada Sam. - annierats, Sep 10, 2014

Answer 2

This should explain it:

ilusión. (Del lat. illus?o, -?nis). 1. f. Concepto, imagen o representación sin verdadera realidad, sugeridos por la imaginación o causados por engaño de los sentidos.

1. f. Esperanza cuyo cumplimiento parece especialmente atractivo.

2. f. Viva complacencia en una persona, una cosa, una tarea, etc.

3. f. Ret. Ironía viva y picante.

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