ilusionar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The word "ilusionar" is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

Phonetic transcription: /iluθjoˈnaɾ/ (Castilian Spanish) or /iluˈsjo̞naɾ/ (Latin American Spanish)

Translation Options into English

• To excite
• To delude
• To give hope

Meaning and Usage

"Ilusionar" generally refers to the action of causing someone to have hope or optimism, usually about a future event. It can also imply creating an illusion that may not align with reality, hence the possibility of disappointment. The frequency of its use is moderate in both written and oral contexts, often appearing in conversations related to emotions, expectations, and encouragement.

Example Sentences

1. "Me ilusiona mucho la idea de viajar por el mundo."
   "The idea of traveling around the world excites me a lot."

2. "No quiero ilusionar a los niños con promesas que no puedo cumplir."
   "I don't want to delude the children with promises I can't keep."

3. "Ella se ilusionó pensando que recibiría una carta de amor."
   "She was excited thinking she would receive a love letter."

Idiomatic Expressions

"Ilusionar" is often used in various idiomatic expressions regarding hope and expectations. Here are some examples:

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Expressions

1. "No debes ilusionarte demasiado, los planes pueden cambiar."
   "You shouldn't get your hopes up too much; plans can change."

2. "Se ilusionó al pensar que conseguiría el trabajo sin esfuerzo."
   "He became deluded thinking he would get the job without effort."

3. "Ilusionar a alguien es jugar con sus emociones."
   "To excite someone is to play with their emotions."

4. "Siempre me ilusiono en diciembre con la llegada de la navidad."
   "I always get excited in December with the arrival of Christmas."

5. "Es fácil ilusionarse cuando se habla del amor."
   "It’s easy to get excited when talking about love."

Etymology

The word "ilusionar" comes from the Spanish noun "ilusión," which originates from the Latin word "illusionem" (the accusative case of "illusio"), meaning a deception or a false idea. The prefix "i-" indicates a sense of action, leading to the meaning of exciting or deluding.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Emocionar (to excite)
• Animar (to encourage)
• Soñar (to dream)

Antonyms

• Decepcionar (to disappoint)
• Desilusionar (to disillusion)
• Desesperar (to despair)

Overall, "ilusionar" captures the essence of excitement and hope while also hinting at the potential for disillusionment, making it a nuanced and versatile verb in the Spanish language.