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"Twinkle" is a noun which is often translated as "el centelleo", and "sparkle" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "destellar". Learn more about the difference between "twinkle" and "sparkle" below.
twinkle(
twihng
-
kuhl
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (flicker)
a. el centelleo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
From afar, the light from the lighthouse is a faint twinkle.Desde lejos, la luz del faro se ve como un centelleo tenue.
We could see the twinkle of a light through the foliage.Podíamos ver el centelleo de una luz a través del follaje.
b. el parpadeo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The lovers embraced under the twinkle of the stars in the night sky.Los amantes se abrazaron bajo el parpadeo de las estrellas en el cielo nocturno.
2. (gleam)
a. el brillo (M) (in one's eyes)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There was a twinkle in Alan's eyes when Fiona turned around to kiss him.Había un cierto brillo en los ojos de Alan cuando Fiona se dio la vuelta para besarlo.
a. el segundo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Using the computer, it can be done in a twinkle.Usando la computadora, puede hacerse en un segundo.
b. abrir y cerrar de ojos
We'll be there in a twinkle from here.Desde aquí llegamos en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
c. el periquete (M) (colloquial)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Please, come back soon. - Don't worry. I'll be back in a twinkle.Por favor, vuelve pronto. - No te preocupes. Vuelvo en un periquete.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to flicker)
a. titilar
The moon went down, and the stars twinkled brightly.La luna se puso y las estrellas titilaban intensamente.
b. centellear
My daughter asked me why the stars twinkle.Mi hija me preguntó por qué centellean las estrellas.
c. parpadear
The city lights were twinkling in the distance.Las luces de la ciudad parpadeaban en la distancia.
5. (to gleam)
sparkle(
spar
-
kuhl
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. destellar
Her diamond ring sparkled in the sunlight.Su anillo de diamantes destellaba bajo la luz del sol.
b. brillar
Ever since I changed my dish detergent, my glasses sparkle like never before.Desde que cambié de lavavajillas, mis vasos brillan como nunca antes.
c. centellear
The moonlight sparkled on the surface of the lake.El reflejo de la luz de la luna centelleaba en la superficie del lago.
2. (figurative) (to be lively)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. brillar
Ana is usually shy, but she really sparkled and was very social at the party.Ana es normalmente tímida, pero realmente brillaba y fue muy sociable en la fiesta.
b. ser chispeante (conversation)
Because the party attendees had such diverse backgrounds, the conversation sparkled.Como los asistentes de la fiesta tenían orígenes tan diversos, la conversación fue chispeante.
c. estar muy animado (party)
I had very low expectations at first, but the party truly sparkled.Al principio tenía pocas esperanzas, pero la fiesta realmente estuvo muy animada.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
3. (shine)
a. el destello (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I could see the sparkle from her jewelry from across the room.Podía ver el destello de sus joyas desde el otro lado del cuarto.
b. el brillo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We could tell he was happy to see us by the sparkle of tears in his eyes.Supimos que se alegraba de vernos por el brillo de las lágrimas en sus ojos.
4. (animation)
a. la chispa (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We could see the sparkle in the girl's eyes when she saw her new puppy.Podríamos ver la chispa en los ojos de la niña al ver su nuevo cachorro.
