Cabe salientar que

You use this phrase to introduce a clause, which means it is almost always followed by que (that). You place it at the beginning of a sentence or a new paragraph when you want to shift focus to a specific detail. For example, if you are writing a report about why the office coffee machine is broken again, you might start with Cabe salientar que o uso indevido foi a causa principal. (It is important to emphasize that improper use was the main cause). It acts as a signpost. It tells the reader, 'Hey, wake up! This part matters.' In Portuguese, we love to use impersonal structures to sound more objective. Instead of saying 'I want to say,' you say 'It is fitting to say.' It removes your ego from the sentence and makes the fact seem like an undisputed truth of the universe. Just don't use it to tell your roommate they forgot to do the dishes, unless you want them to think you've joined a secret society of 18th-century lawyers.

This is a 'high-tier' phrase. You will find it in academic papers, legal documents, news broadcasts, and corporate emails. It sits comfortably in the formal to very formal categories. If you use this at a backyard barbecue while holding a chicken wing, people might look at you like you've accidentally swallowed a dictionary. It is the opposite of slang. In a world of 'vc' and 'tb' on WhatsApp, Cabe salientar que is the person who still uses proper punctuation and capitalizes the first letter of every sentence. It is perfect for LinkedIn posts where you want to sound like a 'thought leader.' It is also great for those 'per my last email' moments where you need to be polite but firm. Think of it as the linguistic version of a firm handshake—it’s professional, traditional, and leaves no room for confusion.

Imagine you are writing a review for a new tech gadget on a professional blog. You might write: Cabe salientar que a bateria dura apenas duas horas. (It’s important to emphasize that the battery only lasts two hours). Or maybe you are in a job interview explaining your experience: Cabe salientar que liderei a equipe durante a crise. (I must point out that I led the team during the crisis). You’ll see it in Netflix subtitles for serious dramas or historical biopics. In a TikTok 'Get Ready With Me' video? Probably not, unless the influencer is ironically reviewing a law degree. It appears frequently in government announcements or when a company is updating its 'Terms and Conditions' that nobody reads. If you ever see this in a text from your partner, take a deep breath—you are either getting a very structured argument or they are practicing for their bar exam.

Use this when the stakes are high or the context is professional. It’s perfect for the first sentence of a conclusion in an essay. It’s excellent for highlighting a specific data point in a PowerPoint presentation. If you are writing a formal letter of complaint to a company (maybe because they sent you a left shoe when you ordered a right one), this phrase gives your complaint weight. It’s also useful in debate settings. If someone makes a point and you want to counter it with a specific fact, starting with Cabe salientar que makes you sound prepared and intellectual. It’s the 'adult in the room' of Portuguese phrases. Use it when you want to ensure that a specific detail isn't lost in a sea of words.

Avoid this phrase in casual settings. Do not say this to the guy at the food truck when you want extra napkins. Cabe salientar que eu preciso de mais guardanapos will just result in a very confused look and zero extra napkins. It’s also too heavy for texting friends about weekend plans. If you say Cabe salientar que o bar abre às oito, your friends might think your account was hacked by a linguistics professor. Also, avoid overusing it in a single document. If every paragraph starts with Cabe salientar que, it loses its power and starts to sound repetitive and robotic. It’s a spice, not the main course. Use it once or twice to highlight the *most* important points, not every single detail.

A very common mistake for learners is forgetting the que. People sometimes say Cabe salientar o problema, which is grammatically okay but less common than the full Cabe salientar que o problema... structure. Another mistake is using it as a direct translation for 'I want to say.' Remember, this is impersonal. You aren't 'fitting to highlight,' the *situation* makes it 'fitting to highlight.' Also, watch out for the spelling of salientar—don't confuse it with saltar (to jump). You aren't jumping on the information; you are highlighting it! Finally, don't use it with 'slangy' follow-ups. Cabe salientar que a festa vai ser top is a weird mix of business casual and beach party that just doesn't work. Keep the rest of the sentence as professional as the opening.

If Cabe salientar que feels a bit too stiff, you can try Vale destacar que (It’s worth highlighting that). This is slightly less formal but still very professional. Another option is É importante frisar que (It is important to emphasize/stress that). Frisar is like using a highlighter pen. For something a bit softer, try Convém notar que (It is convenient/suitable to note that). If you are in a slightly more relaxed office environment, É bom lembrar que (It’s good to remember that) works perfectly. In Portugal, you might also hear Importa salientar que, which means the same thing but uses importar (to matter/be important) as the lead verb. It’s like choosing between a navy suit and a charcoal one—both are formal, but the vibe is slightly different.

Is it used in Brazil or Portugal? Both! It is a standard formal expression across the entire Lusophone world. Is it too formal for an email to a colleague? If you know them well, yes. Use Vale lembrar que instead. If it’s a first-time contact, it’s perfect. Can I use it in speaking? Yes, but mostly in speeches, presentations, or very serious meetings. If you say it while buying bread, the baker might think you're about to sue him. Does it change for plural? No, Cabe stays in the singular because the subject is the entire clause that follows. It's an impersonal construction, so it's very stable and easy to memorize once you get the hang of it.