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A2 verb #10,000 よく出る 9分で読める

empalidecer

上位10,000

練習する例文メモとヒント empalidecer 30秒で

解説 empalidecer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'empalidecer' yourself, but you might see its root, 'pálido' (pale). Think of 'empalidecer' as the action of becoming 'pálido'. Imagine you are watching a movie and a character gets very scared; their face turns white. In basic Spanish, you would say 'Él está blanco' (He is white) or 'Él tiene miedo' (He is afraid). 'Empalidecer' is just a more advanced way to say 'to turn pale'. Focus on recognizing the 'palid-' part of the word, which sounds like 'pale' in English. This will help you understand that the word is about losing color. If you hear someone say '¡Estás empalideciendo!', they are telling you that you look very pale, maybe because you are sick or surprised.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn verbs that describe changes in state. 'Empalidecer' is a great example of this. It means 'to turn pale'. You can use it to describe people's reactions. For example, 'Cuando vio la araña, empalideció' (When he saw the spider, he turned pale). Note that it is a regular -ecer verb in the past tense (empalideció, empalidecieron), which you are likely studying now. It is a useful word for simple storytelling and describing physical feelings. Instead of always saying 'está pálido', you can use 'empalideció' to show that something happened to make the person change. It makes your Spanish sound more dynamic because you are describing an action rather than just a state.

At the B1 level, you should start paying attention to the irregular conjugation of 'empalidecer'. In the present tense, the 'yo' form is 'yo empalidezco'. This 'z' appears in many common verbs like 'conocer' (conozco) or 'conducir' (conduzco). You should also learn how to use it with the preposition 'de' to explain why someone is turning pale: 'empalidecer de susto' (to turn pale from a scare) or 'empalidecer de envidia' (to turn pale with envy). This level is about adding detail to your descriptions. Using 'empalidecer' instead of 'ponerse pálido' shows that you have a larger vocabulary and can handle more formal or literary verbs. You might also start to see it used for things other than people, like 'la luz empalidece' (the light fades).

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'empalidecer' in both literal and figurative contexts. You should understand the nuance of using it to mean 'to pale in comparison'. For example, 'Los lujos de la ciudad empalidecen ante la belleza de la naturaleza' (The luxuries of the city pale before the beauty of nature). Here, the verb isn't about physical color, but about relative importance or brilliance. You should also be comfortable using the subjunctive forms: 'Es normal que empalidezcas ante tal noticia' (It's normal that you turn pale at such news). At this level, you are refining your 'register'—knowing that 'empalidecer' is more formal and appropriate for writing or serious discussions than 'ponerse pálido'.

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic value of 'empalidecer'. It is a verb that allows for precise, evocative imagery in literature and high-level journalism. You should be able to distinguish it from similar verbs like 'demudarse' (to have one's face change significantly) or 'descolorarse' (to lose pigment, usually of objects). You'll notice it used in complex sentence structures, often in the passive voice or within relative clauses: 'Una verdad que hacía empalidecer cualquier mentira previa' (A truth that made any previous lie pale). At this stage, you should also be aware of the historical and etymological roots, connecting it to other 'em- -ecer' verbs to understand the 'inceptive' nature of the Spanish language—how it encodes the beginning of a process directly into the verb's morphology.

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At the C2 level, 'empalidecer' is a tool for subtle rhetorical effects. You might use it to describe the waning of an era, the fading of a memory, or the diminishing of an intellectual argument. You are expected to have a complete command of its irregular forms and its poetic possibilities. You might encounter it in classical literature or philosophical texts where the 'paleness' refers to a lack of vitality or essence. For a C2 speaker, the word is part of a vast repertoire of 'verbs of change' (verbos de cambio), and you should know exactly when to choose 'empalidecer' over 'palidecer', 'blanquear', or 'desfallecer' to achieve the precise emotional or visual tone required by the context. Your usage should be indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, utilizing the word's inherent drama to enhance your narrative or analytical writing.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

empalidecer 30秒で

A verb meaning 'to turn pale' or 'to fade', often used for emotional reactions.
Follows the irregular -ecer conjugation pattern (yo empalidezco).
Can be used literally for skin or figuratively for light and comparisons.
More formal and literary than the common phrase 'ponerse pálido'.

The Spanish verb empalidecer is a sophisticated and evocative word used to describe the process of turning pale. At its core, it belongs to a specific family of Spanish verbs ending in -ecer, which typically denote a change of state or the beginning of a process (inceptive verbs). When you see a person’s face lose its natural color due to shock, fear, illness, or even intense emotion like envy, this is the verb you use. It is more formal than the common phrase ponerse pálido, making it a favorite in literature, journalism, and dramatic storytelling.

Physical Reaction: The most literal use involves the skin losing pigment. This often happens because of a sudden drop in blood pressure or a constriction of blood vessels in response to a stimulus. For example, if someone sees a ghost or receives terrible news, their face might empalidecer instantly.
Figurative Fading: Beyond human faces, the word can describe lights or colors losing their intensity. As the sun sets, the vibrant blue of the sky might empalidecer into a soft grey or white. In a metaphorical sense, one's achievements might 'pale' in comparison to someone else's much greater success.
Emotional Triggers: In Spanish culture, emotions are often described through physical manifestations. While enrojecer (to turn red) is linked to anger or embarrassment, empalidecer is strictly reserved for those 'cold' emotions: dread, profound shock, or the sudden realization of a grave mistake.

Al escuchar la sentencia del juez, el acusado no pudo evitar empalidecer ante toda la sala.

Translation: Upon hearing the judge's sentence, the defendant could not help but turn pale before the entire courtroom.

In everyday conversation, while a Spaniard might say "Te has puesto pálido" (You've turned pale), using "Has empalidecido" adds a layer of descriptive depth. It suggests a more gradual or dramatic transition. Writers use it to slow down a scene, focusing on the visual change of a character to convey internal turmoil without explicitly naming the emotion. This makes it an essential verb for anyone looking to reach a B2 or C1 level of fluency, as it moves beyond basic survival Spanish into the realm of expressive, nuanced communication.

Las estrellas parecen empalidecer cuando la luna llena domina el firmamento nocturno.

Translation: The stars seem to fade when the full moon dominates the night sky.

Finally, consider the social context. If you are describing a Victorian novel or a dramatic movie scene, empalidecer is your go-to verb. It carries a certain weight that simple adjectives lack. It is an active process—something is happening to the subject, often beyond their control. This involuntary nature is what gives the word its power in Spanish literature.

Using empalidecer correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and its relationship with prepositions. Because it is an -ecer verb, it follows the irregular -zco pattern in the first person singular of the present indicative (yo empalidezco) and in the entire present subjunctive (que yo empalidezca). Mastering these shifts is key to sounding like a native speaker.

With the Preposition 'de': When you want to specify the cause of the paleness, you almost always use the preposition de. Common pairings include empalidecer de susto (to turn pale from a scare), de rabia (from rage), or de envidia (from envy). This construction mirrors the English 'to turn pale with/from'.
In Comparison: 'Ante': When used figuratively to mean 'to pale in comparison', we use the preposition ante. For instance, "Sus problemas empalidecen ante la tragedia de la guerra" (His problems pale before/in comparison to the tragedy of war).

Vimos cómo su rostro empezaba a empalidecer a medida que perdía sangre.

Translation: We saw how his face began to turn pale as he lost blood.

When describing the weather or the time of day, empalidecer acts as a poetic substitute for 'to dim' or 'to fade'. In a sentence like "La luz del día empalidece al atardecer," the verb captures the transition from the golden hour to the grey twilight. It provides a sense of movement that a static adjective like 'pálido' cannot achieve.

Cualquier otro talento empalidece frente a su genialidad musical.

Translation: Any other talent pales in front of his musical genius.

In summary, use empalidecer when you want to describe a transition. It is a verb of 'becoming'. Whether it is a person reacting to a jump-scare in a movie or the colors of a painting fading over centuries, this verb provides the linguistic precision needed to describe the loss of color and vitality.

While you might not hear empalidecer every five minutes in a casual bar conversation in Madrid or Mexico City, it is ubiquitous in specific domains. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize it when it appears and use it appropriately without sounding overly academic or out of place.

Literature and Storytelling: This is the primary home of the word. Novelists love it because it is more descriptive than 'asustarse' (to get scared). It shows rather than tells. Instead of saying a character was afraid, a writer says 'su rostro empalideció', allowing the reader to visualize the fear. You will find it in everything from classic 19th-century realism to modern thrillers.
Journalism and News: In political commentary or sports writing, you'll hear it used figuratively. A journalist might write that the 'economy's growth empalidece' compared to previous years, or that a 'team's performance empalideció' after their star player was injured. It adds a touch of gravity and seriousness to the report.
Medical and Health Contexts: While doctors use technical terms like 'palidez', when describing a patient's sudden change in state during an emergency, empalidecer might be used to describe the onset of shock or fainting. "El paciente empezó a empalidecer y perdió el conocimiento" (The patient began to turn pale and lost consciousness).

Al ver el accidente, todos los testigos empalidecieron por la impresión.

Translation: Upon seeing the accident, all the witnesses turned pale from the shock.

In summary, empalidecer is a word of impact. It signals a significant shift—either in a person's physical state or in the relative importance of something. While a beginner might stick to 'blanco', a sophisticated learner uses empalidecer to capture the drama of the moment.

Even for intermediate students, empalidecer can be tricky. Because it's a relatively formal verb with a specific conjugation pattern, errors are common. Here is how to avoid the most frequent pitfalls.

Conjugation Errors: The most common mistake is forgetting the -zc- in the present tense. Many learners say *'yo empalideco'* instead of the correct yo empalidezco. This 'z' is necessary to maintain the soft 'th' or 's' sound of the 'c' before an 'o' or 'a'. This applies to all verbs like conocer, agradecer, and crecer.
Confusing with 'Palidecer': There is another verb, palidecer, which means almost exactly the same thing. While they are often interchangeable, empalidecer is generally considered more intense or complete. Using palidecer is fine, but using empalidecer often sounds more natural when describing a sudden, total loss of color.
Incorrect Auxiliary Verbs: Learners often try to use it with 'estar' like an adjective: *'Él está empalidecer'*. Remember, empalidecer is the verb (the action). If you want to describe the state, use the adjective pálido (He is pale = Él está pálido). If you want to describe the change, use the verb (He turned pale = Él empalideció).

Incorrecto: Yo empalideco cuando veo sangre.
Correcto: Yo empalidezco cuando veo sangre.

Another subtle mistake is the over-reliance on this word in very informal settings. If you are just telling a friend that they look a bit sick, saying "Estás empalideciendo" might sound like you're narrating a gothic novel. In that case, "Te estás poniendo pálido" or "Tienes mala cara" is much more appropriate. Use empalidecer when the situation has some weight or drama.

Spanish is rich with verbs of change. Depending on the nuance you want to convey, empalidecer might be the perfect fit, or you might need one of its cousins.

Empalidecer vs. Palidecer: As mentioned, these are nearly identical. However, empalidecer is often perceived as a more active, 'complete' transformation due to the 'em-' prefix. Palidecer is slightly more common in modern prose for simple descriptions of fading light.
Empalidecer vs. Demudarse: Demudarse is a much more intense word. It means 'to be visibly shaken' or 'to have one's face alter significantly'. While empalidecer specifically means losing color, demudarse implies a total loss of composure where the face might twist or change in several ways, including turning pale.
Empalidecer vs. Decolorarse: Decolorarse (or descolorarse) is used for objects, fabrics, or photographs. You wouldn't say a person 'se decoloró' unless you were being very poetic or weird. Empalidecer is for living beings and light; decolorarse is for physical pigments and materials.

Su rostro se demudó al ver el desastre, pasando de la sorpresa al horror total.

Translation: His face was transformed (demudó) upon seeing the disaster, moving from surprise to total horror.

When comparing achievements, you might also use the verb eclipsar (to eclipse). While "Su éxito hace empalidecer al mío" (His success makes mine pale) is correct, "Su éxito eclipsa al mío" (His success eclipses mine) suggests a more aggressive or total overshadowing. Choose empalidecer when you want to emphasize that the first thing is so bright or important that the second thing simply loses its 'color' or relevance by comparison.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The suffix '-ecer' comes from the Latin '-escere', which was used to create 'inceptive' verbs—verbs that describe the beginning of an action or a transition.

発音ガイド

UK /em.pa.li.ðe.'θer/

US /em.pa.li.ðe.'ser/

The stress is on the final syllable '-er' because it is an infinitive ending in 'r'.

韻が合う語

crecer nacer amanecer oscurecer enriquecer merecer parecer agradecer

よくある間違い

Stressing the 'li' syllable instead of the 'er'.
Pronouncing the 'd' as a hard English 'd' instead of the soft Spanish 'ð'.
Forgetting the nasal 'm' before 'p'.
Treating it as a four-syllable word instead of five (em-pa-li-de-cer).
Mispronouncing the 'z' in 'empalidezco' as a hard 'z' instead of 's' or 'th'.

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in books, easy to recognize if you know 'pálido'.

ライティング 4/5

Requires knowledge of irregular -ecer conjugation.

スピーキング 4/5

The 'zc' sound in 'empalidezco' can be tricky to pronounce fluently.

リスニング 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

pálido blanco susto miedo rostro

次に学ぶ

enrojecer entristecer enriquecer fortalecer estremecer

上級

demudarse lívido exangüe mustio

知っておくべき文法

Inceptive Verbs in -ecer

empalidecer, amanecer, florecer

Irregular Present 'Yo' form (-zco)

Yo empalidezco (not empalideco)

Preposition 'de' for Cause

Empalidecer de miedo

Preposition 'ante' for Comparison

Empalidecer ante la competencia

Subjunctive in 'zc' verbs

No quiero que empalidezcas.

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レベル別の例文

Él va a empalidecer si ve un fantasma.

He is going to turn pale if he sees a ghost.

Future with 'ir a'.

No quiero empalidecer en la foto.

I don't want to turn pale in the photo.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

Ella suele empalidecer cuando tiene frío.

She usually turns pale when she is cold.

Verb 'soler' + infinitive.

¿Por qué vas a empalidecer ahora?

Why are you going to turn pale now?

Question structure.

El niño empezó a empalidecer por el susto.

The boy started to turn pale from the scare.

Empezar a + infinitive.

Es fácil empalidecer si estás enfermo.

It is easy to turn pale if you are sick.

Impersonal 'es' + adjective + infinitive.

Veo a mi amigo empalidecer en el hospital.

I see my friend turn pale in the hospital.

Direct object + infinitive.

Tú puedes empalidecer si no comes bien.

You can turn pale if you don't eat well.

Modal verb 'poder'.

El hombre empalideció cuando escuchó la noticia.

The man turned pale when he heard the news.

Preterite tense (past action).

Los testigos empalidecieron al ver el accidente.

The witnesses turned pale upon seeing the accident.

Preterite plural.

Si ves sangre, ¿empalideces rápidamente?

If you see blood, do you turn pale quickly?

Present tense second person.

Ella empalidecía cada vez que él entraba.

She used to turn pale every time he entered.

Imperfect tense (habitual past).

No empalidezcas, todo va a estar bien.

Don't turn pale, everything is going to be fine.

Negative imperative (subjunctive).

Mi hermano empalidece de envidia con mi coche.

My brother turns pale with envy with my car.

Present tense + 'de' + emotion.

Vimos cómo empalidecía la luz de la tarde.

We saw how the afternoon light was fading.

Imperfect tense for description.

Él ha empalidecido mucho este invierno.

He has turned very pale this winter.

Present perfect.

Yo siempre empalidezco cuando tengo que hablar en público.

I always turn pale when I have to speak in public.

Irregular present 'yo' form (-zco).

Dudo que ella empalidezca por una simple película.

I doubt she will turn pale over a simple movie.

Present subjunctive after doubt.

Si me dieras esa noticia, yo también empalidecería.

If you gave me that news, I would turn pale too.

Conditional mood.

Es posible que los colores empalidezcan con el sol.

It is possible that the colors fade with the sun.

Subjunctive after 'es posible que'.

Al ver la factura, su rostro empalideció de golpe.

Upon seeing the bill, his face turned pale all at once.

Preterite + 'de golpe' (suddenly).

Habíamos empalidecido antes de que ella dijera nada.

We had turned pale before she said anything.

Past perfect (pluscuamperfecto).

No quiero que empalidezcas cuando veas el precio.

I don't want you to turn pale when you see the price.

Subjunctive after 'querer que'.

La pintura está empezando a empalidecer por la humedad.

The paint is starting to fade because of the humidity.

Present progressive with auxiliary.

Sus logros empalidecen ante la magnitud de su sacrificio.

His achievements pale before the magnitude of his sacrifice.

Figurative use with 'ante'.

A medida que el sol se ocultaba, el cielo empalidecía.

As the sun hid, the sky was turning pale.

Conjunction 'a medida que' with imperfect.

Me sorprendió que no empalidecieras al ver el fantasma.

It surprised me that you didn't turn pale upon seeing the ghost.

Past subjunctive after emotion.

El brillo de las estrellas empalidece con la luz de la ciudad.

The brightness of the stars fades with the city lights.

Intransitive usage.

Cualquier otra oferta empalidecería frente a la nuestra.

Any other offer would pale in front of ours.

Conditional for hypothetical comparison.

El paciente ha estado empalideciendo durante la última hora.

The patient has been turning pale during the last hour.

Perfect progressive.

Fue un susto tal que le hizo empalidecer al instante.

It was such a scare that it made him turn pale instantly.

Causative 'hacer' + infinitive.

Aunque empalidezcas, debes mantener la calma.

Even if you turn pale, you must keep calm.

Concessive 'aunque' with subjunctive.

Su belleza era tal que hacía empalidecer a las flores del jardín.

Her beauty was such that it made the flowers in the garden pale.

Literary personification/hyperbole.

El recuerdo de aquel día ha ido empalideciendo con los años.

The memory of that day has been fading with the years.

Periphrasis 'ir + gerund' showing gradual process.

No hubo nadie que no empalideciera ante la crueldad del tirano.

There was no one who did not turn pale before the tyrant's cruelty.

Double negation with subjunctive.

Las luces de neón hacían empalidecer la luz natural de la luna.

The neon lights made the natural moonlight pale.

Contrast between artificial and natural light.

Empalideció de tal manera que pensamos que se desmayaría.

He turned pale in such a way that we thought he would faint.

Consecutive clause 'de tal manera que'.

La gloria de los antiguos imperios empalidece ante la historia moderna.

The glory of ancient empires pales before modern history.

Abstract subject with figurative verb.

Apenas pronunció su nombre, ella empalideció visiblemente.

As soon as he uttered her name, she visibly turned pale.

Adverbial 'apenas' + preterite.

Es imperativo que no empalidezcas si quieres que te crean.

It is imperative that you don't turn pale if you want them to believe you.

Subjunctive after 'es imperativo que'.

La prosa del autor hace empalidecer los intentos de sus contemporáneos.

The author's prose makes the attempts of his contemporaries pale.

Sophisticated literary criticism.

Bajo la gélida mirada del fiscal, el testigo comenzó a empalidecer.

Under the prosecutor's icy gaze, the witness began to turn pale.

Metaphorical 'gélida mirada' + inceptive verb.

Cualquier noción de justicia empalidece ante tal acto de barbarie.

Any notion of justice pales before such an act of barbarism.

Philosophical abstraction.

El fulgor de su intelecto hacía empalidecer a los más sabios del lugar.

The brilliance of his intellect made the wisest in the place pale.

Archaic/High-register 'fulgor'.

Sus argumentos empalidecieron en cuanto se presentaron las pruebas.

His arguments paled as soon as the evidence was presented.

Temporal 'en cuanto' + preterite.

La paleta cromática del cuadro parece empalidecer bajo la luz directa.

The painting's color palette seems to fade under direct light.

Technical art vocabulary.

Temía que su legado empalideciera tras su inevitable partida.

He feared that his legacy would fade after his inevitable departure.

Past subjunctive for future-in-the-past fear.

No permitas que tu entusiasmo empalidezca ante los primeros obstáculos.

Do not allow your enthusiasm to fade before the first obstacles.

Formal imperative + subjunctive.

よく使う組み合わせ

empalidecer de susto

empalidecer de envidia

rostro empalidecido

empalidecer ante la idea

hacer empalidecer

luz que empalidece

empalidecer de rabia

empezar a empalidecer

visiblemente empalidecer

empalidecer de miedo

よく使うフレーズ

Hacer empalidecer a alguien

— To make someone turn pale or to outshine them significantly.

Su nueva novela hace empalidecer a la anterior.

Empalidecer ante la realidad

— To lose confidence or color when faced with the truth.

Sus sueños empalidecieron ante la cruda realidad.

Quedarse empalidecido

— To remain pale after a shock.

Se quedó empalidecido durante horas.

Empalidecer de emoción

— To turn pale due to an overwhelming feeling (not necessarily negative).

Empalideció de emoción al recibir el premio.

Ver a alguien empalidecer

— To witness someone's sudden loss of color.

Fue impactante verla empalidecer así.

Empalidecer por momentos

— To turn paler by the second.

El enfermo empalidecía por momentos.

No poder evitar empalidecer

— To be unable to hide one's shock or fear.

No pudo evitar empalidecer al ser descubierto.

Empalidecer hasta las cejas

— To turn completely pale (idiomatic expression of intensity).

Empalideció hasta las cejas del susto.

Hacer empalidecer las estrellas

— Used poetically to describe something very bright.

Tu mirada hace empalidecer las estrellas.

Empalidecer de pavor

— To turn pale from extreme terror.

Los niños empalidecieron de pavor en el túnel.

よく混同される語

empalidecer vs palidecer

Almost identical, but 'empalidecer' is often seen as more intense or literary.

empalidecer vs empalagar

Means to be too sweet or cloying. Sounds similar but unrelated.

empalidecer vs empañar

To fog up or tarnish. Sometimes confused by beginners due to the 'em-' prefix.

慣用句と表現

"Hacer empalidecer a la competencia"

— To be so much better that others look bad or insignificant.

Nuestros precios hacen empalidecer a la competencia.

business/informal

"Empalidecer de envidia"

— To be extremely jealous (literally 'to turn pale with envy').

Él empalidece de envidia cada vez que me ve.

common

"Más pálido que la cera"

— Extremely pale (often used with the verb empalidecer).

Empalideció hasta quedarse más pálido que la cera.

literary

"Perder el color"

— A common idiom meaning to turn pale, synonymous with empalidecer.

Perdió el color en cuanto vio la sangre.

neutral

"Quedarse como un papel"

— To turn as white as a sheet/paper.

Al oír el ruido, empalideció y se quedó como un papel.

informal

"No llegarle a la suela de los zapatos"

— Often used in contexts where something 'pales' in comparison.

Su talento hace empalidecer al mío; no le llego ni a la suela.

informal

"Mudar el semblante"

— To change expression, often turning pale.

Mudó el semblante y empalideció al reconocerlo.

literary

"Quedarse de piedra"

— To be stunned, which often involves turning pale.

Se quedó de piedra y empalideció al ver el coche.

informal

"Blanco como una pared"

— As white as a wall.

Empalideció tanto que estaba blanco como una pared.

common

"Sangre de horchata"

— To be cold-blooded or not react, the opposite of empalidecer easily.

Parece que tiene sangre de horchata, nunca empalidece.

informal

間違えやすい

empalidecer vs enrojecer

Both describe facial color changes.

Enrojecer is turning red (anger/heat), while empalidecer is turning white (fear/shock).

Él enrojeció de rabia, pero ella empalideció de miedo.

empalidecer vs descolorar

Both involve losing color.

Descolorar is for objects/fabrics; empalidecer is for people/light.

El sol descoloró el sofá, mientras el dueño empalidecía al verlo.

empalidecer vs blanquear

Both mean to make/become white.

Blanquear is often intentional (bleaching) or literal; empalidecer is usually an involuntary emotional reaction.

Van a blanquear las paredes, pero yo empalidezco de solo pensarlo.

empalidecer vs marchitar

Both mean a loss of vitality.

Marchitar is for plants or metaphorical beauty; empalidecer is for immediate color loss.

La flor se marchitó y el cielo empalideció.

empalidecer vs demudarse

Both describe facial changes.

Demudarse is a total change of expression; empalidecer is specifically about color.

Se demudó por completo y luego empalideció.

文型パターン

[Subject] empalideció cuando [Action].

Juan empalideció cuando vio la araña.

Yo empalidezco de [Emotion].

Yo empalidezco de envidia.

[Something] hace empalidecer a [Something else].

Este precio hace empalidecer a los otros.

Espero que no empalidezcas.

Espero que no empalidezcas ante el reto.

A medida que [Action], el rostro de [Person] empalidecía.

A medida que hablaba, el rostro de María empalidecía.

Vio [Object] empalidecer ante sus ojos.

Vio su fortuna empalidecer ante sus ojos.

No hubo [Subject] que no empalideciera ante [Noun].

No hubo soldado que no empalideciera ante la carga.

Empalidecer en comparación con [Noun].

Su obra empalidece en comparación con la de su maestro.

語族

名詞

palidez (paleness)

paliducha (pejorative: sickly pale person)

動詞

palidecer (to turn pale)

empalidecer (to turn pale - more intense)

形容詞

pálido (pale)

empalidecido (paled/turned pale)

paliducho (sickly pale)

使い方

frequency

Medium. High in literature and news, lower in casual street slang.

よくある間違い

Yo empalideco → Yo empalidezco
The 'yo' form of -ecer verbs is irregular and requires a 'z' before the 'c'.
Él está empalidecer → Él está pálido / Él empalidece
Don't confuse the verb with the adjective. Use 'estar' with 'pálido' and the verb for the action.
Empalidecer con envidia → Empalidecer de envidia
In Spanish, we use the preposition 'de' to indicate the cause of an emotional reaction.
La camisa empalideció → La camisa se descoloró
Empalidecer is for living things and light, not for fabrics or manufactured objects.
Se empalideció → Empalideció
While reflexive use exists, it is much more common and standard as an intransitive verb.

ヒント

The 'Z' Rule

Always remember the 'z' in 'empalidezco'. If the verb ends in -ecer or -ocer, the 'yo' form usually takes -zco.

Show, Don't Tell

In your writing, use 'empalideció' instead of 'tenía miedo'. It creates a stronger visual image for the reader.

Use 'Ante'

When comparing two things, 'empalidecer ante' is a very sophisticated way to say something is much less impressive than another.

Word Family

Connect it to 'pálido'. If you know the adjective, you can easily remember the verb by adding the em- and -ecer.

Stress the End

In the infinitive 'empalidecer', the stress is on the last syllable. Don't let the long word confuse your rhythm.

Literary Flair

Use this verb in descriptions of nature, like the sky or the moon, to give your Spanish a poetic touch.

Doctor's Note

If you are describing symptoms in a hospital, 'empalidecer' is a precise verb to use for a sudden loss of color.

Shock Factor

This verb is perfect for 'jump scares' or sudden realizations. It implies an involuntary reaction.

Listen for -ecer

When you hear a verb ending in -ecer, think 'becoming'. It will help you guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Not for Objects

Don't say a shirt 'empalideció' in the wash. Use 'descolorarse' for inanimate physical objects.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of an 'EM'pty 'PALI'tte. When an artist's palette is empty of color, it is pale. EM-PALI-DECER.

視覚的連想

Imagine a bright red tomato suddenly turning into a white ghost. The process of the color draining away is 'empalidecer'.

Word Web

pálido susto miedo blanco luz envidia enfermo rostro

チャレンジ

Try to use 'empalidecer' in a sentence today instead of 'tener miedo'. Describe how someone's face changed during a surprising moment.

語源

Derived from the Latin 'pallidus' (pale), which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *pel- (grey, pale). The Spanish form uses the parasynthetic structure 'em-' + 'pálido' + '-ecer'.

元の意味： To move into a state of being pale.

Romance (Latin origin)

文化的な背景

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that describing someone as 'pálido' or saying they 'empalidecieron' can sometimes imply they look sickly or weak.

English speakers often say 'turn white as a sheet' or 'blanch'. 'Empalidecer' is the direct equivalent of 'to blanch' in a formal context.

Used frequently in the works of Gabriel García Márquez to describe characters' reactions to the supernatural. Common in Spanish translations of Gothic novels like Dracula or Frankenstein. Found in the lyrics of many classic Boleros to describe the effect of a lover's departure.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Medical Emergency

Está empalideciendo.
Empalideció de repente.
Su piel empalidece.
¿Cuándo empezó a empalidecer?

Reacting to Bad News

Empalideció al oírlo.
No empalidezcas tanto.
Su cara empalideció de golpe.
Hizo empalidecer a todos.

Nature and Weather

La luz empalidece.
El cielo empalideció.
Colores que empalidecen.
Empalidecer al atardecer.

Comparisons

Empalidece ante esto.
Hace empalidecer al resto.
Todo empalideció.
Su brillo empalidece.

Literary Description

Su semblante empalideció.
Empalidecer de pavor.
Vio empalidecer la luna.
Empalidecer de envidia.

会話のきっかけ

"¿Alguna vez has visto a alguien empalidecer de susto en la vida real?"

"¿Qué tipo de noticias te harían empalidecer al instante?"

"¿Crees que los colores de las casas empalidecen más rápido en tu ciudad?"

"¿Conoces algún actor que sea muy bueno para empalidecer en escenas dramáticas?"

"¿Qué paisaje es tan bonito que hace empalidecer a todos los demás que has visto?"

日記のテーマ

Describe un momento en el que empalideciste por una sorpresa o un susto. ¿Qué pasó exactamente?

Escribe sobre un logro personal que haga empalidecer a tus otros éxitos menores.

Imagina que eres un pintor. Describe cómo los colores de tu cuadro empalidecen bajo la luz del sol.

Relata una historia corta sobre un fantasma que empalidece al ver a un humano.

¿Qué verdades del mundo hacen empalidecer las mentiras que nos contamos a diario?

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, but usually only for light or colors. You can say 'la luz empalidece' (the light fades) or 'los colores empalidecen' (the colors lose intensity). For objects like clothes, use 'descolorarse' instead.

They are synonyms. 'Empalidecer' is slightly more formal and emphasizes the process of 'becoming' pale more strongly due to the 'em-' prefix. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.

It is irregular in the 'yo' form: 'yo empalidezco'. The other forms are regular: tú empalideces, él empalidece, nosotros empalidecemos, vosotros empalidecéis, ellos empalidecen.

Absolutely! This is a very common figurative use. For example: 'Su fortuna empalidece ante la de su hermano' (His fortune pales before his brother's).

It is usually used as an intransitive verb (empalidecer), but the reflexive form 'empalidecerse' is occasionally used in some regions. Stick to 'empalidecer' to be safe.

Use 'de' for the cause (empalidecer de susto) and 'ante' or 'frente a' for comparisons (empalidecer ante la competencia).

Yes, 'palidez' is the common noun for 'paleness', and 'empalidecimiento' is the noun for the 'act of turning pale'.

It is less common than 'ponerse pálido' in casual talk, but very common in books, news, and formal writing.

Yes, you can describe a patient 'empalideciendo' as they feel faint or sick.

It rhymes with many -ecer verbs like 'crecer', 'nacer', 'amanecer', and 'merecer'.

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