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"Lucir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to shine", and "refulgir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to shine brightly". Learn more about the difference between "lucir" and "refulgir" below.
lucir(
loo
-
seer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to shine
Las estrellas lucen más en el bosque que en la ciudad.The stars shine more in the woods than in the city.
2. (to appear) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to look good
Llegó al baile luciendo en su nuevo vestido.She arrived at the dance looking good in her new dress.
a. to show
Tengo diez horas trabajando en este proyecto. - ¿De verdad? Pues, no luce.I've been working on this project for ten hours. - Really? It doesn't show.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to display)
lucirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to make a fool of oneself
De verdad que te luciste ayer en la fiesta.You really made a fool of yourself yesterday at the party.
refulgir(
rreh
-
fool
-
heer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (general)
a. to shine brightly
Lo que el minero vio refulgir en la roca resultó ser un diamante.What the miner saw shining brightly in the rock turned out to be a diamond.
