Brilliant
Slang Term
British
★★★★★ Very Common
Neutral
Meaning: Excellent, wonderful (British)
极好的、精彩的、太棒了
Excelente, maravilloso, genial
素晴らしい、最高、すごい
훌륭한, 최고의, 대단한
The go-to British expression of approval. Can mean anything from 'that's fine' to 'that's absolutely wonderful' depending on tone.
英国的万能赞美词,意为极好或太棒了。在英式英语中的使用频率远高于美式英语。可以表达真诚的热情或讽刺性的认可。
Palabra británica multiusos de aprobación que significa excelente o genial. Se usa mucho más frecuentemente en inglés británico que en americano. Puede expresar entusiasmo genuino o reconocimiento sarcástico.
素晴らしい、すごいという意味のイギリスの万能の賞賛語。アメリカ英語よりもイギリス英語ではるかに頻繁に使われる。本当の熱意も皮肉な承認も表現できる。
훌륭하다 또는 대단하다는 뜻의 영국식 만능 칭찬 표현. 미국 영어보다 영국 영어에서 훨씬 자주 사용된다. 진심 어린 감탄이나 빈정대는 반응 모두에 쓸 수 있다.
Examples
- Brilliant! 太棒了!正是我需要的¡Brilliant! Eso es exactamente lo que necesitaba素晴らしい!まさに必要だったものだ최고야! 딱 필요했던 거야.
- That's brilliant. 演出绝对精彩El espectáculo fue absolutamente brilliantショーは本当に素晴らしかった그 공연은 정말 훌륭했어.
- Brilliant idea. 讽刺sarcástico皮肉아, 최고다—문 잠겨서 못 들어가게 됐네. (비꼬는 투)
- Absolutely brilliant performance.她厨艺很棒Es una cocinera brilliant彼女は料理が上手だ그녀는 요리를 정말 잘해.
Pronunciation
/ˈbrɪljənt/
Usage Guide
Context: approval, enthusiasm, agreement
Tone: enthusiastic, approving
✓ Do Say
- Brilliant!太棒了!¡Genial!素晴らしい!훌륭해!
- That's brilliant.那太棒了Eso es genialそれは素晴らしい그거 대단하다.
- Absolutely brilliant.绝对太棒了Absolutamente genial本当に素晴らしい정말 훌륭해.
✗ Don't Say
- Very British非常英式的用法Uso muy británicoとてもイギリス的な用法매우 영국식 용법
- Common美国人不太随意使用Los americanos lo usan menos casualmenteアメリカ人はカジュアルには使わない미국인은 이렇게 캐주얼하게 쓰지 않음
Common Mistakes
- Very British expression—Americans use it less
- Can be genuine or understated
Origin & History
From brilliant (shining, sparkling) applied to quality. A characteristically British expression of approval.
Etymology: From shining/sparkling quality
First recorded: British usage for 'excellent'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British culture; British TV
Regional notes: Quintessentially British expression of approval.
Variations
BrilliantAbsolutely brilliantThat's brilliant
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Awesome
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Extremely good or impressive (American)
Amazing
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Legend
★★★★★
An admirable person (British/Australian)
Star
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A wonderful, helpful person (British)
Good on ya
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Well done, good for you (Australian)
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