Luces vs. alumbrado

Question

In English, the difference between lights and lighting can be quite small. Most people would understand them if used interchangeably although I would not use the word lighting at home or in an office setting. I would, however, probably use lighting for a large venue (stadium), public services (street lights) or industrial/commercial setting. Does the same hold true for luces and alumbrado?

Gracias por su ayuda.

Interesting question. I need to think about the English differenct for a bit before trying to respond to the Spanish. - gringojrf, Oct 1, 2015

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Your level of ability in Spanish and your interest in knowing something technical like this could be interesting to us. Please consider sharing that information. - Jubilado, Oct 1, 2015

Answer 1

Okay. I see lights as referring to individual fixtures and lighting as referring to the overall effect.

For example; The lighting in the house was very dim as all the lights were only 25watts.

Por ejemplo; El alumbrado en la casa estaba muy débil porque todas las luces era de veinticinco vatios.

I think that your example is not wrong but I would say "la iluminación de la casa era" - 000a35ff, Oct 1, 2015

I agree with iluminación as it sounds better. Sense you are a native speaker and I have trouble with this why did you choose era where I chose estaba. I figured it can be changed so not permenant thus estar. - gringojrf, Oct 1, 2015

and era n reference to the light bulbs because they are permanently 25 watts thus ser. I continue with ser vs estar problems after 8 years living in Mexico. - gringojrf, Oct 1, 2015

I totally agree, Gringo... that is my undrstanding too:! The word ' lights' refer to the specifics, ie: the individual lights, whereas lighting is the overall result /effect :) - FELIZ77, Oct 1, 2015

I could be wrong, Gringo, but I think that this sentence uses the passive voice The house "was lit " and the passive voice always uses the verb ser ;) - FELIZ77, Oct 1, 2015

I 'm sure you know the difference but I will just give one example for anyone else reading this: The passive voice: The ball was stolen - FELIZ77, Oct 1, 2015

= La pelota fue robado. vs The active voice: El niño robó la pelota = The boy stole the ball :) - FELIZ77, Oct 1, 2015

Perhaps "era" is used because lighting being weak or strong is a permanent condition not an apparent condition of the nature of the lighting. You might try sending a message to txelis to discuss this. - Jubilado, Oct 1, 2015

I think Feliz is right. There are just too many things to think about to get it right. - gringojrf, Oct 2, 2015

Oh, it's not all that bad. Txelis does it right because it's intuitive to us Spanish speakers. What Txelis is unable to do is what I do as a teacher and explain it from the standpoint of an English speaker. My English is fluent so I can do this. - Daniela2041, Oct 2, 2015

Please see my post. - Daniela2041, Oct 2, 2015

Answer 2

In Spanish is more or less the same thing as Demeyer has explained that is in English .

The light and the darknes are very specials using the verb ser or estar. The light loves the verb ser. And the darknes loves the verb estar. The light uses mainly the verb ser, and the verb haber except when it is changing its intensity then uses the verb estar. When we are referring to the efect that the light makes in the objects we use the verb estar. The darknes uses mainly the verb estar. except when we are referring to a feature of something.

I will put an large example.

Ésta habitación ES oscura (feature), y hoy ESTÁ muy oscura, hay muy poca luz. Encenderé tres velas para iluminarla. Ahora la luz ES fuerte, está poco oscuro, hay poca oscuridad, la habitación ESTÁ (efect) bien iluminada, una de las velas se está consumiendo y la luz parece SER algo mas debil, si efectivamente ESTÁ(changing) menguando. La vela se ha apagado, ahora ESTA un poco mas oscuro y la luz ES mas débil que antes. Si hay menos luz y mas oscuridad. Pero no tengo miedo, la luz de las dos velas sigue SIENDO lo bastante fuerte. Una corriente de aire está apagando la segunda vela , la luz está(changing) menguando mientras se apaga la vela y ahora no ES lo suficientemente fuerte para iluminar bien la habitación. Ahora ESTÁ bastante oscuro. La habitación apenas está (efect) iluminada, la luz es debil y la vela se apaga.

look at the Daniela's post. it is simplier and better. I would do - 000a35ff, Oct 2, 2015

I had no idea of this difference. You've lit up my day, many thanks! - annierats, Oct 2, 2015

Thanks txelis. I had never heard of this difference in usage before. Very enlightening. - gringojrf, Oct 2, 2015

Muy bien hecho. Voy a estudiar lo que dices acá. Nosotros hablantes de inglés no entendemos facilmente las diferencias sutiles entre ser y estar. ¡Vivan los hispanohablantes! - Jubilado, Oct 2, 2015

Answer 3

"La iluminación de la casa era muy debil porque las luces eran de veinticinco vatios.

Forget "permanent vs. temporary" Think "characteristics" Use "ser" for characteristics, and "estar" for conditions.

¡Ay ! Daniela, Daniela que profa mas lista y seguro que guapa eres. En dos líneas has ventilado la cuestión. yo he soltado una pedazo chapa y ahora que la leo, no la entiendo ni yo. - 000a35ff, Oct 2, 2015

:) - Daniela2041, Oct 2, 2015

Gracias. You shown a light on it. jajaja. Thanks. in that way it makes sense. - gringojrf, Oct 2, 2015

Shone? - chileno, Oct 3, 2015

Answer 4

By the way:

alumbrado means the physical installation in order to get illumination (light/lighting)

Edit: I forgot to include lighting.

Thanks. Chileno. - gringojrf, Oct 2, 2015

you're welcome. - chileno, Oct 3, 2015