vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Superficial" is an adjective which is often translated as "superficial", and "penumbra" is a noun which is often translated as "half-light". Learn more about the difference between "superficial" and "penumbra" below.
superficial(
soo
-
pehr
-
fee
-
syahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (not deep)
a. superficial
Pepe se cortó con el cuchillo, pero la herida fue solo superficial.Pepe cut himself on his knife, but it was only a superficial injury.
b. surface
Para el experimento se debe tomar en cuenta la temperatura superficial del agua.In the experiment, water surface temperature must be taken into account.
2. (frivolous)
a. superficial
Tuvimos una plática bastante aburrida y superficial sobre el trabajo.We had a rather boring and superficial talk about work.
b. shallow
Ana es muy superficial; solo le importa lo material.Ana is very shallow; she only cares about material things.
la penumbra(
peh
-
noom
-
brah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (dimness)
a. half-light
En la penumbra, era difícil ver quién se acercaba a nosotros.In the half-light, it was difficult to see who was walking toward us.
b. semi-darkness
El ladrón se escondió en la penumbra del cuarto y la policía no lo vio.The thief hid in the semi-darkness of the room and the police didn't see him.
