Resplandecer Conjugation in Spanish
resplandecer means "to shine brightly" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the night sky, the sunlight, the darkness of the theatre and the sea at dawn. This page gives you the complete conjugation of resplandecer in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. resplandecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "Every day, I shine brightly in the night sky." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: resplandecer
- English: to shine brightly
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: resplandeciendo
- Past participle: resplandecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + resplandecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of resplandecer with all six persons. The gerund is resplandeciendo and the past participle is resplandecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandezco |
| tú | resplandeces |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandece |
| nosotros/as | resplandecemos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandecí |
| tú | resplandeciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandeció |
| nosotros/as | resplandecimos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandecía |
| tú | resplandecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandecía |
| nosotros/as | resplandecíamos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandeceré |
| tú | resplandecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandecerá |
| nosotros/as | resplandeceremos |
| vosotros/as | resplandeceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandecería |
| tú | resplandecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandecería |
| nosotros/as | resplandeceríamos |
| vosotros/as | resplandeceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he resplandecido |
| tú | has resplandecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha resplandecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos resplandecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis resplandecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han resplandecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había resplandecido |
| tú | habías resplandecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había resplandecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos resplandecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais resplandecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían resplandecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré resplandecido |
| tú | habrás resplandecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá resplandecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos resplandecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis resplandecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán resplandecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría resplandecido |
| tú | habrías resplandecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría resplandecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos resplandecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais resplandecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían resplandecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandezca |
| tú | resplandezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandezca |
| nosotros/as | resplandezcamos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | resplandeciera |
| tú | resplandecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandeciera |
| nosotros/as | resplandeciéramos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | resplandece |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandezca |
| nosotros/as | resplandezcamos |
| vosotros/as | resplandeced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | resplandezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | resplandezca |
| nosotros/as | resplandezcamos |
| vosotros/as | resplandecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | resplandezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about resplandecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of resplandecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "Every day, I shine brightly in the night sky." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is resplandezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example resplandezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of resplandecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo resplandecí con la luz del sol. — "Yesterday, I shone brightly in the sunlight." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of resplandecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo resplandecía en la oscuridad del teatro. — "In the past, I used to shine brightly in the darkness of the theatre." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of resplandecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros resplandeceremos sobre el mar al amanecer. — "Tomorrow, we will shine brightly over the sea at dawn." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of resplandecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú resplandecerías en el cielo de noche. — "If you could, you would shine brightly in the night sky." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of resplandecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he resplandecido con la luz del sol. — "I have shone brightly in the sunlight." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of resplandecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había resplandecido en la oscuridad del teatro. — "Before the party, I had shone brightly in the darkness of the theatre." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of resplandecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré resplandecido sobre el mar al amanecer. — "By tomorrow, I will have shone brightly over the sea at dawn." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of resplandecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría resplandecido en el cielo de noche. — "If I had been able to, I would have shone brightly in the night sky." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of resplandecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él resplandezca con la luz del sol. — "I hope that he/she shines brightly in the sunlight." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is resplandezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example resplandezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of resplandecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él resplandeciera en la oscuridad del teatro, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she shone brightly in the darkness of the theatre, everything would turn out better." For resplandecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem resplandec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of resplandecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Resplandece sobre el mar al amanecer! — "Shine brightly over the sea at dawn!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is resplandezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example resplandezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of resplandecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No resplandezcas en el cielo de noche. — "Do not shine brightly in the night sky." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is resplandezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example resplandezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: resplandecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with resplandecer, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "Every day, I shine brightly in the night sky." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo resplandecí con la luz del sol. — "Yesterday, I shone brightly in the sunlight." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo resplandecía en la oscuridad del teatro. — "In the past, I used to shine brightly in the darkness of the theatre." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros resplandeceremos sobre el mar al amanecer. — "Tomorrow, we will shine brightly over the sea at dawn." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú resplandecerías en el cielo de noche. — "If you could, you would shine brightly in the night sky." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he resplandecido con la luz del sol. — "I have shone brightly in the sunlight." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él resplandezca en la oscuridad del teatro. — "I hope that he/she shines brightly in the darkness of the theatre." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él resplandeciera sobre el mar al amanecer, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she shone brightly over the sea at dawn, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Resplandece en el cielo de noche! — "Shine brightly in the night sky!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy resplandeciendo con la luz del sol. — "Now, I am shining brightly in the sunlight." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with resplandecer
The errors learners actually make with resplandecer, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me resplandezco en el cielo de noche.
- Right: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche.
- Why: resplandecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo resplandeco en el cielo de noche.
- Right: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is resplandezco, never resplandeco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (resplandezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo resplandezco con la luz del sol.
- Right: Ayer, yo resplandecí con la luz del sol.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo resplandecí con la luz del sol. — "Yesterday, I shone brightly in the sunlight."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy resplandecido en la oscuridad del teatro.
- Right: Estoy resplandeciendo en la oscuridad del teatro.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund resplandeciendo for the progressive. The participle resplandecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he resplandecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros resplandece en el cielo de noche.
- Right: Nosotros resplandecemos en el cielo de noche.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes resplandecemos, while resplandece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: resplandecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on resplandecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of resplandecer in the present tense?
- (a) resplandecemos
- (b) resplandezco
- (c) resplandeces
- (d) resplandece
Answer: (b) resplandezco. The yo form is resplandezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of resplandecer in the present tense?
- (a) resplandeces
- (b) resplandezco
- (c) resplandece
- (d) resplandecemos
Answer: (a) resplandeces. The tú form is resplandeces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of resplandecer in the present tense?
- (a) resplandezco
- (b) resplandeces
- (c) resplandecemos
- (d) resplandece
Answer: (d) resplandece. The él/ella form is resplandece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of resplandecer in the present tense?
- (a) resplandeces
- (b) resplandece
- (c) resplandecemos
- (d) resplandezco
Answer: (c) resplandecemos. The nosotros form is resplandecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of resplandecer in the present tense?
- (a) resplandece
- (b) resplandecen
- (c) resplandezco
- (d) resplandeces
Answer: (b) resplandecen. The ellos/ellas form is resplandecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of resplandecer?
- (a) resplandecer
- (b) resplandeciendo
- (c) resplandecido
- (d) resplandezco
Answer: (b) resplandeciendo. The gerund is resplandeciendo, used for the progressive: estoy resplandeciendo.
7. What is the past participle of resplandecer?
- (a) resplandecido
- (b) resplandeciendo
- (c) resplandecí
- (d) resplandecer
Answer: (a) resplandecido. The past participle is resplandecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he resplandecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en el cielo de noche.
- (a) resplandeces
- (b) resplandece
- (c) resplandecemos
- (d) resplandezco
Answer: (d) resplandezco. The sentence needs the yo form resplandezco (Every day, I shine brightly in the night sky.)
9. What is the yo form of resplandecer in the preterite?
- (a) resplandeció
- (b) resplandecimos
- (c) resplandecí
- (d) resplandeciste
Answer: (c) resplandecí. The yo preterite is resplandecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ en la oscuridad del teatro.
- (a) resplandezca
- (b) resplandezcas
- (c) resplandezcamos
- (d) resplandecáis
Answer: (a) resplandezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is resplandezca.
Frequently asked questions about resplandecer
Is resplandecer regular?
Almost. resplandecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is resplandezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example resplandezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does resplandecer mean, and when do I use it?
resplandecer means "to shine brightly" in English. Use it when you talk about the night sky, the sunlight, the darkness of the theatre and the sea at dawn — for example: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "I shine brightly in the night sky." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "I shine brightly in the night sky." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of resplandecer?
No. resplandecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "I shine brightly in the night sky." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with resplandecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo resplandezco en el cielo de noche. — "I shine brightly in the night sky." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo resplandecí en el cielo de noche. — "Yesterday, I shone brightly in the night sky." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.