When you say someone “lights up a room”

[Doubledoors]

What do you tend to mean by that?

I’m having to translate the phrase, and trying to make sure I convey it properly, if that helps.

Ideas and explanations much appreciated!!

Radiates energy?
Boosts everyone's mood?
Life and soul of the party (perhaps even more difficult to translate!)
Brings joy to the room?

They captivate the attention of all of those around and have the sort of charisma and radiance that keeps the focus on them in a good way, and deflects from any negativity that had otherwise been there.

Radiates energy, joy, friendliness. The atmosphere changes, they become a focus for others in the room.

Brings joy and optimism, lifting people’s mood.

For me it means the person is friendly, cheerful, smiling/happy and charming .

I would think oh what a pain must avoid at all costs.

Maybe that they bring positivity/ humour, are fun, friendly and have time for people? In this way, they boost the mood of a gathering or bring people together.

What a joy you must be 😂

They always die don’t they?! People who have died are always described as “light up a room” or life & soul!

I think it’s that everyone notices them, hears, sees or can bring joy to a space by being themselves.

Some people just have that magical glow, almost like a golden glow that attracts people and makes people feel good when they speak to them or are near them

They have charisma. Everyone’s mood is lifted; the atmosphere becomes more joyous.

They change the dynamic in a room. They bring a new energy to the room for everyone

Brings immediate loving joy and joie de vivre/optimism to the atmosphere.
People are drawn towards those who light up a room.

A person who is very animated and joyful. They have the feel-good factor and their optimism is infectious.

Can also be used to describe very beautiful, luminous people who light up the room with their physical beauty.

I would use the phrase to describe someone who is pleased to see everyone and who everyone is pleased to see.

I think ‘life and soul’ is something different. I’ve known many loud, gobby, drunken people be described thus.

Thanks for these great replies - I’m normally quite good with idioms but was finding this one quite hard to pin down. Animated, joyful, warm - all really good words that back up what I was thinking!