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C1 adjective 10 min de lecture

saliente

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces saliente en 30 secondes

Explication saliente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex meanings of 'saliente.' You might hear it in a very basic way in Brazil to describe a child who is being a bit 'naughty' or 'cheeky.' Imagine a child who is talking when they shouldn't be—a parent might say 'Não seja saliente!' (Don't be cheeky!). Physically, you can think of it as something that 'sticks out.' For now, just remember that it describes something or someone that stands out from the rest. It's not a word you need to use often yet, but recognizing it as 'something that pops out' is a great start. Think of a 3D sticker on a flat book—that sticker is 'saliente.'

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By A2, you can start to use 'saliente' to describe physical objects more specifically. If you are describing a house, you might mention a 'parte saliente' (a part that sticks out, like a balcony). In Brazil, you will definitely hear it in informal conversations. If a friend is being a bit too flirty or bold, someone might call them 'saliente.' It's a step up from 'engraçado' (funny) and moves towards 'atrevido' (bold). You should also recognize that it is the same for both men and women (e.g., 'ele é saliente', 'ela é saliente'), which makes it easy to use in basic sentences. Just remember to add an 's' for plural: 'eles são salientes.'

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At the B1 level, you should begin to use 'saliente' in more descriptive contexts. You can use it to talk about the 'pontos salientes' (main points) of a story or a movie you watched. It helps you move away from always using the word 'importante.' When you use 'saliente,' you are saying that a specific part of the story was so clear or important that it stood out to you. You'll also start to see it in news articles or more formal reading materials. It's a useful word for giving presentations because you can say, 'O ponto mais saliente desta imagem é...' (The most prominent point of this image is...). It shows you are expanding your vocabulary beyond basic adjectives.

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At B2, you are expected to understand the nuance between formal and informal usage. You should be comfortable using 'saliente' in a professional report to describe data that 'stands out' (e.g., 'um aumento saliente na produção'). You also understand that in Brazil, the word has a colloquial edge that it doesn't have in Portugal. You can differentiate between a 'relevo saliente' (a physical protrusion in geography or art) and a 'comportamento saliente' (cheeky behavior). Your usage should be precise—you use 'saliente' when something literally or metaphorically 'protrudes' from its background. You are also aware of synonyms like 'proeminente' and 'conspícuo.'

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As a C1 learner, 'saliente' should be part of your active vocabulary for academic and technical discussions. You use it to describe architectural features, anatomical protrusions, or salient points in a philosophical argument. You understand the etymology (from Latin 'saliens') and how that informs its meaning in various fields like law, medicine, and engineering. You can use it to add stylistic variety to your writing, choosing it over 'notável' or 'evidente' when you want to emphasize the contrast between an object and its surroundings. You are also fully aware of the regional sociolinguistic implications of the word in Brazil versus Portugal and can navigate these contexts without making social blunders.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'saliente.' You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as describing the 'ângulos salientes' in geometry or the 'processos salientes' in biological structures. You can play with the word's dual meanings in literary writing, perhaps using it as a pun or a metaphor. You understand its historical development in the Portuguese language and its relationship to other words in the 'saltar' (to jump) family. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can explain its various nuances, including its specific connotations in different Lusophone cultures, with ease and precision.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

saliente en 30 secondes

Saliente means prominent or protruding, referring to something that sticks out physically or stands out as important.
In Brazil, it carries a colloquial meaning of 'cheeky,' 'flirty,' or 'bold' when describing a person's behavior.
Grammatically, it is a neutral-gender adjective that agrees in number (saliente/salientes) and usually follows the noun.
It is a C1-level word used in formal reports, architecture, geography, and social critiques to add precision.

The Portuguese word saliente is a multifaceted adjective that bridges the gap between physical architecture and social behavior. At its core, it derives from the Latin saliens, meaning 'leaping' or 'jumping out.' This etymological root perfectly captures the essence of the word: something that is saliente is something that catches your eye because it stands out from its surroundings. Whether it is a physical protrusion on a wall or a particularly noteworthy point in a legal argument, the word signifies prominence. In formal and academic contexts, it is the direct equivalent of the English 'salient' or 'prominent.' You will encounter it in geography to describe landforms, in medicine to describe anatomical features, and in literature to highlight specific themes.

Physical Prominence: Refers to parts of an object or landscape that project outward. For example, a rock jutting out from a cliff or a decorative element on a building facade.

A característica mais saliente da montanha era o seu cume pontiagudo.

Translation: The most prominent feature of the mountain was its sharp peak.

However, one must be cautious when using this word in Brazil. In Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR), saliente has a very common informal meaning that differs significantly from its European counterpart. In a social context, calling someone saliente implies they are 'forward,' 'cheeky,' 'flirty,' or even 'naughty.' It is often used to describe a child who is being overly talkative or disruptive, or an adult who is making suggestive comments. This shift from 'sticking out' to 'overstepping social boundaries' is a fascinating evolution of the word. In Portugal, this secondary meaning is far less common, and the word remains largely formal and descriptive.

Abstract Importance: Used to identify the most important aspects of a theory, a speech, or a situation. It is synonymous with 'notável' or 'relevante'.

Neste relatório, o ponto mais saliente é a queda na inflação.

Translation: In this report, the most salient point is the drop in inflation.

In summary, saliente is a high-level vocabulary word that adds precision to your descriptions. It allows you to move beyond simple words like 'importante' or 'grande' and specify that something is noteworthy because it stands out from its background. Whether you are discussing the architectural details of the Jerónimos Monastery or analyzing the key arguments of a political debate, saliente is an indispensable tool for a C1-level speaker. Just remember to read the room before using it in a Brazilian bar!

Using saliente correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an adjective. It must agree in number with the noun it modifies (saliente for singular, salientes for plural), but it does not change based on gender (it is the same for masculine and feminine). This makes it relatively easy to integrate into your speech once you master its semantic nuances. Let's explore its application across different registers, from the highly technical to the colloquial.

Geological and Geographical Contexts: In these fields, it describes features that protrude from a flat surface. You might hear it in a documentary about the Azores or the Brazilian Highlands.

As rochas salientes tornavam a navegação perigosa naquela zona da costa.

Translation: The protruding rocks made navigation dangerous in that area of the coast.

In academic writing, saliente is often paired with nouns like ponto (point), aspecto (aspect), or característica (characteristic). It serves to direct the reader's attention to the most critical data. For instance, if you are writing a thesis on Portuguese history, you might highlight a ponto saliente of the 1755 earthquake's impact on urban planning. It implies that among many factors, this one 'leaps out' as the most significant.

Informal Brazilian Usage: When used to describe a person, it functions as a synonym for 'atrevido' or 'ousado'. It carries a tone of playful criticism or genuine annoyance depending on the context.

Não seja saliente, menino! Respeite os seus mais velhos.

Translation: Don't be cheeky, boy! Respect your elders.

Finally, in the realm of design and aesthetics, saliente is used to describe 3D elements or textures. A 'relevo saliente' is a high-relief carving. This usage is common in art history and interior design. By using saliente, you evoke a sense of depth and tangibility that words like 'grande' or 'visível' fail to convey. It is the difference between saying something is 'big' and saying it 'stands out in relief'.

The frequency and context of saliente vary dramatically depending on whether you are in Lisbon or São Paulo. In Portugal, you are most likely to encounter it in formal settings. Listen to the evening news on RTP or read an editorial in Público. Journalists use it to summarize the key takeaways of a political summit or a financial report. In this context, it sounds sophisticated and precise. It is a word of the intellectual elite and the professional world.

O porta-voz sublinhou os aspectos mais salientes do novo acordo bilateral.

Translation: The spokesperson highlighted the most salient aspects of the new bilateral agreement.

In Brazil, the word has a double life. While it is used in the same formal ways as in Portugal, its colloquial life is much more vibrant. You will hear it in telenovelas (soap operas) when a character is being flirtatious or meddling in someone else's business. A 'vizinha saliente' is that nosy neighbor who always has something to say about your life. It's also common in Brazilian music, particularly in genres like Samba or Pagode, where lyrics might describe a 'morena saliente' (a flirty dark-haired woman). In these cases, the word is charged with social and emotional meaning.

In technical fields like architecture and engineering, the word is universal across the Lusophone world. If you are reading a blueprint or a technical manual for a construction project, saliente describes any part of a structure that extends beyond the main plane. A balcony is a corpo saliente of a building. A bolt that isn't flush with the surface is saliente. Here, the word is purely functional and devoid of any 'cheeky' connotations.

Cuidado com a parte saliente da máquina para não se magoar.

Translation: Be careful with the protruding part of the machine so you don't get hurt.

Lastly, in legal and judicial Portuguese, saliente is used to emphasize evidence or precedents. A lawyer might say, 'É saliente o fato de que o réu não estava presente,' meaning 'It is notable/obvious that the defendant was not present.' This usage reinforces the idea of something being so clear or important that it cannot be ignored. Understanding these varied environments—from the building site to the courtroom to the carnival—is key to mastering this C1-level term.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with saliente is assuming it only means 'important.' While 'salient' in English often translates to 'most important,' the Portuguese saliente retains a much stronger connection to its physical meaning of 'protruding.' If you use saliente in a context where something is important but not 'standing out' against a background, it might sound slightly off. For example, you wouldn't usually say a 'saliente' person to mean they are 'important' (that would be importante or ilustre); instead, you'd use it for their features or their behavior.

Confusion with 'Salgado': Beginners sometimes confuse 'saliente' with 'salgado' (salty) due to the 'sal-' prefix. They have no relation. 'Saliente' comes from 'saltar' (to jump).

Another major pitfall is the regional difference mentioned earlier. If a Portuguese person (from Portugal) hears you calling a child saliente, they might be confused and think you are saying the child has some physical protrusion. Conversely, if you use saliente in a formal business meeting in Brazil to describe a 'prominent feature' of a plan, make sure your tone is strictly professional so it isn't misinterpreted as the colloquial 'cheeky' meaning. Context is the ultimate filter for this word.

Incorrect: Ele é um homem saliente na política. (Wait, is he cheeky or important?)

Better: Ele é um homem proeminente na política.

Finally, avoid overusing saliente as a generic synonym for 'evident' (evidente) or 'clear' (claro). Saliente implies a specific type of evidence: one that stands out because of its contrast or position. If something is clear simply because it is simple, use claro. Use saliente when there is a 'background' and the object or idea 'leaps' forward from it. Mastering this distinction is what separates a B2 learner from a C1/C2 proficient speaker.

To truly enrich your vocabulary, you should know when to use saliente and when to opt for one of its synonyms. Portuguese is a language rich in nuance, and choosing the right word can change the entire tone of your sentence. Below, we compare saliente with its closest relatives.

Proeminente vs. Saliente: 'Proeminente' is almost always interchangeable with 'saliente' when referring to physical height or social status. However, 'proeminente' feels slightly more formal and is more commonly used for people of high status ('um médico proeminente').
Notável vs. Saliente: 'Notável' (notable) focuses on the quality of being worthy of notice. 'Saliente' focuses on the act of standing out. You can have a 'notável' achievement that isn't necessarily 'saliente' in a physical sense.

O detalhe saliente no quadro era a cor vermelha, que era notável pela sua vivacidade.

Translation: The salient detail in the painting was the red color, which was notable for its vividness.

If you are looking for alternatives to the Brazilian colloquial meaning of 'cheeky,' you might use atrevido (daring/bold), abusado (overstepping), or engraçadinho (literally 'little funny one,' used sarcastically for someone being too smart for their own good). Atrevido is the most direct synonym for the 'forward' behavior described by saliente.

In summary, choose saliente when you want to emphasize the 'protrusion' or the 'leaping out' quality of an object or idea. Use proeminente for social status, notável for general importance, and atrevido for social cheekiness if you want to be more direct. Understanding these layers will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'salient' and the Portuguese 'saliente' share the exact same Latin ancestor, explaining their identical formal meanings.

Guide de prononciation

UK /sɐ.ˈljẽ.tɨ/

US /sa.ˈljẽ.tʃi/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: sa-LI-en-te.

Rime avec

contente ausente presente mente serpente cliente gerente quente

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 'e' in Portugal as a strong 'ee' (it should be almost silent).
Failing to nasalize the 'en' sound.
In Brazil, forgetting the 'chi' sound at the end in many regional accents.
Stress on the first syllable.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'saliente' in Spanish (where the 'll' sound is different).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in formal texts, requires distinguishing between physical and abstract meanings.

Écriture 5/5

Requires C1 level to use effectively in academic or professional Portuguese.

Expression orale 4/5

Easy to pronounce, but social context in Brazil is tricky for foreigners.

Écoute 4/5

Must identify regional tone (formal news vs. casual Brazilian slang).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

importante notável saltar ponto parte

Apprends ensuite

conspícuo proeminente ressaltar idiosincrasia vultoso

Avancé

protuberância exegese orografia morfologia eufemismo

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

O ponto saliente / As notas salientes.

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'ponto saliente'.

Comparison with 'Mais'

Este é o detalhe mais saliente.

Adverb Formation

Saliente + mente = salientemente.

Nasal Vowels

The 'en' in saliente is nasalized.

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Exemples par niveau

O menino é muito saliente.

The boy is very cheeky.

Saliente functions as a predicate adjective here.

A pedra saliente no chão.

The protruding rock on the ground.

Used as an attributive adjective.

Ela não é saliente.

She is not cheeky.

Negative construction.

O brinquedo tem uma parte saliente.

The toy has a protruding part.

Describing a physical object.

Eles são salientes.

They are cheeky.

Plural form 'salientes'.

Você é saliente!

You are cheeky!

Direct address.

O gato é saliente.

The cat is cheeky.

Applied to an animal.

Uma cor saliente.

A prominent color.

Feminine noun 'cor', but adjective remains 'saliente'.

Cuidado com o prego saliente na madeira.

Watch out for the protruding nail in the wood.

Preposition 'com' used for warning.

A varanda é a parte mais saliente da casa.

The balcony is the most prominent part of the house.

Superlative 'a mais saliente'.

Por que você está tão saliente hoje?

Why are you being so cheeky today?

Using 'estar' for a temporary state.

As letras salientes no livro ajudam a ler.

The raised letters in the book help with reading.

Plural agreement.

O detalhe saliente no vestido era o laço.

The prominent detail on the dress was the bow.

Focusing on a specific feature.

Ele deu uma resposta saliente ao professor.

He gave a cheeky answer to the teacher.

Colloquial Brazilian usage.

Existem partes salientes nesta escultura.

There are protruding parts in this sculpture.

Plural noun 'partes'.

A montanha tem um pico saliente.

The mountain has a prominent peak.

Describing geography.

O ponto mais saliente do discurso foi a paz.

The most salient point of the speech was peace.

Abstract meaning of 'salient'.

Ela notou uma característica saliente no novo colega.

She noticed a prominent characteristic in the new colleague.

Used with 'característica'.

A inflação é o problema mais saliente da economia.

Inflation is the most salient problem in the economy.

Economic context.

Os olhos salientes são típicos dessa espécie.

Protruding eyes are typical of this species.

Biological description.

O autor destaca os aspectos salientes da obra.

The author highlights the salient aspects of the work.

Literary analysis context.

Havia uma saliência saliente na parede do túnel.

There was a prominent protrusion on the tunnel wall.

Redundant but descriptive use.

O comportamento saliente dele incomodou a todos.

His forward behavior annoyed everyone.

Social context.

As cores salientes tornam o quadro muito vivo.

The prominent colors make the painting very vivid.

Artistic context.

O relatório foca nos dados mais salientes do trimestre.

The report focuses on the most salient data of the quarter.

Professional/Business register.

A arquitetura barroca é conhecida pelas formas salientes.

Baroque architecture is known for its protruding forms.

Technical architectural context.

O réu teve uma atitude saliente perante o juiz.

The defendant had a cheeky attitude towards the judge.

Legal/Social context.

O relevo saliente do mapa permite sentir as montanhas.

The raised relief of the map allows one to feel the mountains.

Geographical/Sensory context.

Não podemos ignorar este fato saliente na investigação.

We cannot ignore this salient fact in the investigation.

Investigative context.

A cicatriz saliente no seu braço contava uma história.

The raised scar on his arm told a story.

Physical description (medical/personal).

As bordas salientes da mesa podem ser perigosas.

The protruding edges of the table can be dangerous.

Safety/Design context.

O orador fez uma observação saliente sobre o futuro.

The speaker made a salient observation about the future.

Intellectual context.

A proeminência saliente do osso frontal é visível.

The salient prominence of the frontal bone is visible.

Medical/Anatomical terminology.

O autor emprega uma metáfora saliente para criticar o governo.

The author employs a salient metaphor to criticize the government.

Literary/Political analysis.

A divergência saliente entre as duas teorias é o ponto de partida.

The salient divergence between the two theories is the starting point.

Academic/Philosophical context.

O estilo saliente do arquiteto rompe com o minimalismo.

The architect's bold/prominent style breaks with minimalism.

Artistic/Architectural critique.

É saliente a necessidade de reformas estruturais urgentes.

The need for urgent structural reforms is salient/obvious.

Formal/Political register.

As cristas salientes das ondas indicavam uma tempestade.

The protruding crests of the waves indicated a storm.

Descriptive/Literary context.

O personagem é descrito como um tipo saliente e oportunista.

The character is described as a forward and opportunistic type.

Character analysis.

A nota saliente deste concerto foi a performance do violinista.

The salient note (highlight) of this concert was the violinist's performance.

Cultural/Review context.

A exegese revela os pontos salientes da doutrina clássica.

The exegesis reveals the salient points of classical doctrine.

Highly formal/Theological context.

O relevo saliente da orografia local dita o microclima.

The prominent relief of the local orography dictates the microclimate.

Scientific/Geographic context.

Sua oratória é marcada por uma ironia saliente e mordaz.

His oratory is marked by a salient and scathing irony.

Advanced rhetorical analysis.

A idiossincrasia saliente do artista reflete-se em cada pincelada.

The artist's salient idiosyncrasy is reflected in every brushstroke.

Artistic/Psychological analysis.

O tratado sublinha a disparidade saliente entre as jurisdições.

The treaty underlines the salient disparity between the jurisdictions.

International law context.

A morfologia saliente das dunas altera-se com o vento.

The salient morphology of the dunes changes with the wind.

Scientific/Descriptive context.

Houve uma interrupção saliente no fluxo de consciência do narrador.

There was a salient interruption in the narrator's stream of consciousness.

Literary theory context.

A natureza saliente do conflito impede uma resolução célere.

The salient nature of the conflict prevents a swift resolution.

Diplomatic/Political context.

Collocations courantes

ponto saliente

característica saliente

relevo saliente

ângulo saliente

parte saliente

detalhe saliente

nota saliente

aspecto saliente

rocha saliente

olhos salientes

Phrases Courantes

tornar-se saliente

— To become noticeable or prominent.

O problema tornou-se saliente após a crise.

fazer saliência

— To protrude or stick out from a surface.

O botão faz saliência no painel.

de forma saliente

— In a prominent or noticeable manner.

Ele agiu de forma saliente na festa.

mais saliente que

— More prominent than (comparison).

Este erro é mais saliente que o outro.

nada saliente

— Not at all prominent or cheeky.

Ele foi discreto, nada saliente.

muito saliente

— Very prominent or very cheeky.

Essa criança é muito saliente!

aspectos menos salientes

— Less prominent aspects.

Não ignore os aspectos menos salientes.

uma figura saliente

— A prominent figure (person).

Ela é uma figura saliente na comunidade.

deixar saliente

— To make something stand out.

A luz deixou saliente a textura da parede.

pouco saliente

— Hardly noticeable or slightly protruding.

Uma cicatriz pouco saliente.

Souvent confondu avec

saliente vs saliente (Spanish)

In Spanish, it can also mean 'leaving' or 'outgoing', which it does NOT mean in Portuguese.

saliente vs salino

Means 'saline' or related to salt. No connection to 'saliente'.

saliente vs saliente (verb form)

It is not a verb form in Portuguese (unlike 'salte' from saltar).

Expressions idiomatiques

"dar uma de saliente"

— To act in a forward, cheeky, or flirty way (Brazil).

Ele deu uma de saliente com a vizinha.

informal

"estar com a saliência"

— To be in a cheeky or flirty mood (Brazil).

Hoje você está com a saliência toda!

slang

"saltar aos olhos"

— To be extremely obvious or salient (literally 'to jump to the eyes').

A diferença salta aos olhos.

neutral

"pôr em relevo"

— To highlight or make something salient.

O autor pôs em relevo a crise.

formal

"meter o bedelho"

— To be 'saliente' in the sense of nosy (Brazil/Portugal).

Não venha meter o bedelho onde não é chamado.

informal

"querer aparecer"

— To act 'saliente' just to get attention.

Ele é saliente, só quer aparecer.

informal

"falar pelos cotovelos"

— To be 'saliente' in the sense of talkative/cheeky.

Aquela criança saliente fala pelos cotovelos.

informal

"dar o ar de sua graça"

— To appear in a way that makes one noticed (can be used for a salient person).

O saliente finalmente deu o ar de sua graça.

ironic

"ser o centro das atenções"

— To be the most salient person in a room.

Ela gosta de ser o centro das atenções, é muito saliente.

neutral

"ficar na crista da onda"

— To be at the most prominent/salient point of success.

O artista saliente está na crista da onda.

informal

Facile à confondre

saliente vs proeminente

Almost identical meaning.

Proeminente is slightly more formal and more common for people's status.

Ele é um proeminente advogado.

saliente vs conspícuo

Both mean easy to see.

Conspícuo is very formal/academic and implies 'obviousness'.

O erro foi conspícuo.

saliente vs atrevido

Synonym for the Brazilian colloquial meaning.

Atrevido is more direct about the lack of respect; saliente can be more playful.

Ele foi atrevido com o chefe.

saliente vs evidente

Both refer to things that are clear.

Evidente means clear to the mind; saliente means sticking out (physically or metaphorically).

É evidente que ele mentiu.

saliente vs notável

Both mean important.

Notável is a general compliment; saliente is a descriptive observation.

Uma inteligência notável.

Structures de phrases

O [noun] é saliente.

O osso é saliente.

O ponto mais saliente de [noun] é [noun].

O ponto mais saliente do filme é o final.

É preciso destacar o aspecto saliente de [noun].

É preciso destacar o aspecto saliente da proposta.

A despeito de sua natureza saliente, [clause].

A despeito de sua natureza saliente, o detalhe foi ignorado.

A exegese sublinha a disparidade saliente entre [noun] e [noun].

A exegese sublinha a disparidade saliente entre o mito e a realidade.

Informal

Deixa de ser saliente!

Deixa de ser saliente, menino!

Technical

Verifique se há partes salientes em [noun].

Verifique se há partes salientes na estrutura.

Social

Ele tem um jeito muito saliente.

Ele tem um jeito muito saliente de falar.

Famille de mots

Noms

saliência (protrusion/cheekiness)

salto (jump)

salteador (highwayman/jumper)

Verbes

salientar (to highlight/emphasize)

saltar (to jump)

sobressair (to stand out)

Adjectifs

saliente (prominent)

saltitante (bouncy)

salteado (skipped/sautéed)

Apparenté

ressaltar

proeminência

conspicuidade

relevo

projeção

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Medium-High. Very common in specific technical and colloquial niches.

Erreurs courantes

Calling a salty dish 'saliente'. → Este prato está salgado.
Saliente means prominent, not salty.
Using 'salienta' for a feminine noun. → A característica saliente.
The adjective does not change for gender.
Using 'saliente' for 'outgoing' (like in Spanish). → Ele é extrovertido.
Saliente does not mean extroverted in Portuguese.
Thinking 'saliente' is always a compliment in Brazil. → Depends on context.
It often implies being too bold or cheeky.
Placing 'saliente' before the noun in formal text. → O aspecto saliente.
It usually follows the noun for natural flow.

Astuces

Academic Writing

Use 'saliente' instead of 'importante' to sound more professional in your C1 essays.

Brazilian Slang

If someone calls you 'saliente' in a club, they probably think you're flirting with them.

Gender Neutral

Don't try to change the ending to 'salienta' or 'saliento'. It's always 'saliente'!

Nasal sound

Practice the nasal 'en' by pinching your nose slightly while saying it—it should vibrate.

Word Family

Learn 'salientar' (verb) alongside 'saliente' to double your utility.

Warning

Avoid calling your Brazilian boss 'saliente' unless you want a very awkward conversation.

Visualizing

Picture a mountain peak jumping out of the clouds to remember the meaning.

News Reports

Listen to Portuguese news podcasts; you'll hear 'ponto saliente' at least once per episode.

Art Criticism

Use 'saliente' to describe the texture of oil paintings or sculptures.

Saliente vs Spare

Don't confuse 'saliente' with 'sobressalente' (spare)—they look similar but are very different.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Saliente' object as something that wants to 'SALtar' (jump) out at you. It's so prominent it leaps toward your eyes!

Association visuelle

Imagine a bright red 3D button on a flat grey wall. The button is 'saliente' because it sticks out and catches your attention.

Word Web

saltar saliência salientar proeminente notável atrevido conspícuo relevo

Défi

Try to use 'saliente' to describe both a physical object in your room and a key takeaway from a news article you read today.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'saliens, salientis', which is the present participle of 'salire' (to jump, leap).

Sens originel : Literally 'leaping' or 'springing forward'.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

In Brazil, be careful calling a woman 'saliente' as it can be perceived as a comment on her perceived sexual openness or flirtatiousness.

English speakers might find the 'cheeky' meaning of 'saliente' similar to how 'forward' can mean both 'moving ahead' and 'socially bold.'

Used in the lyrics of many Brazilian Samba songs to describe flirty women. Common in the architectural descriptions of the 'Manueline' style in Portugal. Found in the Brazilian TV show 'A Grande Família' to describe meddling characters.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Architecture

viga saliente
fachada saliente
elemento saliente
detalhe saliente

Academic Writing

ponto saliente
aspecto saliente
argumento saliente
fato saliente

Socializing (Brazil)

menino saliente
vizinha saliente
jeito saliente
ser saliente

Geography

rocha saliente
pico saliente
relevo saliente
costa saliente

Medicine

osso saliente
veia saliente
músculo saliente
cicatriz saliente

Amorces de conversation

"Qual você acha que é o ponto mais saliente da cultura brasileira?"

"Você já tropeçou em alguma pedra saliente na calçada hoje?"

"Na sua opinião, qual é a característica mais saliente de um bom líder?"

"Você conhece alguém que seja muito saliente no sentido de ser atrevido?"

"Quais são os aspectos salientes do último livro que você leu?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva um momento em que você teve que ser 'saliente' para conseguir o que queria.

Quais são os pontos salientes da sua rotina diária que você gostaria de mudar?

Escreva sobre um detalhe saliente de uma obra de arte que te impressionou.

Analise um fato saliente da política atual do seu país.

Descreva as características salientes da paisagem da sua cidade natal.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'saliente' has nothing to do with salt. It comes from the Latin word for 'jumping.' The word for 'salty' is 'salgado'.

Yes, but only in a formal sense to mean 'prominent' (e.g., a prominent figure). Using it to mean 'cheeky' is a Brazilian trait.

In a formal context (e.g., 'ponto saliente'), it is neutral. In Brazil, when applied to a person, it is usually a mild criticism or a playful tease, rarely a pure compliment.

It is the same: 'saliente'. Like many Portuguese adjectives ending in -e (e.g., inteligente, forte), it is invariable for gender.

You say 'ponto saliente'. It is a very common expression in academic and professional settings.

Yes, very much so. It is used to highlight key data, trends, or features in reports and presentations.

In some Brazilian slangs, yes, it can have a sexual connotation. Use it with caution when describing adults in casual settings.

'Saliente' means protruding or prominent. 'Sobressalente' means 'spare' or 'extra' (like a spare tire: pneu sobressalente).

'Saliente' is the adjective (prominent). 'Salientar' is the verb (to highlight/emphasize).

It is a 'protruding beam' in architecture, one that sticks out from the ceiling or wall.

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