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A2 verb 10 min read

destacar

Examples destacar in 30 Seconds
Explanation destacar in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'destacar' is a word you might encounter when following instructions in a classroom or a language app. You will learn it as a synonym for 'to highlight' with a pen. At this stage, focus on the physical action: 'Eu destaco as palavras.' You don't need to worry about the complex reflexive meanings yet. Think of it as a tool for organization. When you see a text and the teacher says 'Destaque os nomes,' they want you to mark them so they are easy to find. It's a very practical, concrete verb at this level. You might also see it on websites, like 'Destaques' (Highlights), which are the most important sections of a page. Understanding this basic meaning helps you navigate Portuguese environments and follow simple educational tasks. It is one of those verbs that helps you talk about how you are learning the language itself.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'destacar' to describe people and qualities. This is where the reflexive form 'destacar-se' becomes important. You can now say things like 'Ela se destaca na escola' (She stands out at school). You are moving from the physical act of highlighting paper to the social act of noticing someone's excellence. You will also use it to describe features of things, like 'Esta cor destaca seus olhos' (This color highlights your eyes). It’s a great word for giving basic compliments or describing a scene. You should be able to conjugate it in the present and past tenses. At A2, 'destacar' helps you express importance and focus. You might use it in a simple email to 'destacar' a date or a time for a meeting, ensuring the recipient doesn't miss the most important information.
By B1, you are expected to use 'destacar' in more abstract contexts, such as giving opinions or making presentations. You will use phrases like 'Gostaria de destacar que...' (I would like to highlight that...) to structure your speech. This allows you to guide your listener's attention to your main points. You also start to understand the difference between 'destacar' and its synonyms like 'realçar' or 'enfatizar'. At this level, you can use 'destacar' to talk about professional skills on a resume or in a job interview. You might say, 'Eu me destaquei no meu último emprego por ser muito organizado.' You are now using the word to build a narrative about yourself and your abilities. You also begin to see its use in news articles, where journalists 'destacam' the main events of the day, helping you filter information as you read.
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At the B2 level, 'destacar' becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation and formal writing. You use it to contrast ideas and to provide emphasis in a sophisticated way. You understand that 'destacar' can also mean 'to detach' in specific technical or administrative contexts, though you mostly use its more common meanings. You can use the passive voice ('Foi destacado pelo autor...') and more complex grammatical structures. Your use of 'destacar-se' is now more precise; you can stand out 'pela sua inteligência,' 'por causa do seu esforço,' or 'entre os demais candidatos.' You are comfortable using the word in business reports to analyze data, 'destacando os pontos de crescimento.' It is no longer just a word for highlighting text, but a versatile verb for managing focus and importance in complex professional and academic discussions.
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At C1, your use of 'destacar' is fluid and natural. You use it effortlessly in high-level debates and complex writing. You understand its subtle differences from verbs like 'salientar,' 'frisar,' and 'vincar.' You might use 'destacar' to talk about the 'desdobramento' (unfolding) of a situation where certain elements 'se destacam' as pivotal. You are also aware of its less common meanings, such as military detachment or the administrative dispatching of personnel. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'destacar' is just one of many tools you use to direct attention. You can use it in literary analysis to describe how an author 'destaca' a theme through metaphor. You also recognize and use idiomatic expressions involving the word, and you can play with its meanings for rhetorical effect in speeches or creative writing.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'destacar' and all its historical and technical nuances. You can use it in legal, philosophical, or highly specialized contexts. For instance, you might discuss how a specific clause 'se destaca' in a legal contract or how a philosophical concept 'se destaca' from its historical background. You understand the etymological roots of the word (from 'estaca' or stake) and how that history informs its modern meanings of separation and prominence. You can use the word with perfect precision in any register, from slang to the most formal academic prose. You are also capable of identifying and correcting subtle misuses of the word by others. For you, 'destacar' is a precise instrument for the surgical application of emphasis and the clear categorization of information in any possible communicative situation.
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Examples

destacar in 30 Seconds

  • Used to highlight text or emphasize ideas in speech and writing.
  • Reflexive form 'destacar-se' means to stand out or be exceptional.
  • Common in professional, academic, and social settings to show importance.
  • Essential for structuring arguments and giving compliments about appearance or skill.

The Portuguese verb destacar is a versatile and essential term that every learner should master early on, particularly because it bridges the gap between physical actions and abstract concepts. At its core, it means 'to highlight,' 'to emphasize,' or 'to make prominent.' However, its usage varies significantly depending on whether it is used transitively (doing something to an object) or reflexively (destacar-se, meaning to stand out).

The Physical Act
In a literal sense, you might use it when editing a document or studying. If you use a yellow marker to draw attention to a specific sentence, you are 'destacando' that text. It is the action of pulling something out of the background so it becomes the focal point.

Eu usei uma caneta amarela para destacar as informações mais importantes do contrato.

The Abstract Emphasis
In conversation or professional writing, it refers to emphasizing a point. When a politician 'destaca' the need for reform, they aren't using a marker; they are using words to give that topic more weight than others. It is synonymous with 'enfatizar' (to emphasize) or 'salientar' (to point out).

O professor decidiu destacar a importância da gramática na primeira aula.

Beyond these common uses, 'destacar' also has a technical military or administrative meaning: to detach or dispatch a group for a specific mission. While less common in daily life, you might see this in historical texts or news reports about police or military deployments. For most learners, however, the focus remains on the 'highlighting' and 'standing out' aspects. In the world of social media, 'destacar' is also the word used for 'Highlights' on Instagram profiles (Destaques). This reflects the modern usage of selecting the best parts of something to show off to the world. Whether you are talking about fashion (a dress that highlights one's eyes) or business (a report highlighting growth), 'destacar' is your go-to verb for bringing attention to the best or most relevant parts of a whole.

A nova iluminação serve para destacar as obras de arte na galeria.

Social Context
In Brazil and Portugal, 'destacar-se' is a high compliment. If someone tells you 'Você se destacou na apresentação,' it means you were the best or most noticeable person in the room. It implies excellence and distinction.

Ela sempre consegue se destacar entre os seus colegas de trabalho.

Using 'destacar' correctly involves understanding its grammatical transitivity. It is primarily used as a transitive verb (requires an object) or as a pronominal verb (reflexive). Let’s explore the structures and common patterns used by native speakers in various settings.

Transitive Usage (To Highlight Something)
The formula is Destacar + [Object]. This is the most direct way to use the word. You can highlight a word, an idea, a problem, or a person for a task.

O diretor quis destacar o sucesso da equipe no relatório anual.

Reflexive Usage (To Stand Out)
The formula is Destacar-se + [Preposition]. Usually, you stand out 'among' (entre) others or 'by' (por) a certain quality. This is how you describe someone who is exceptionally good at something.

A Maria se destaca entre os alunos pela sua inteligência.

Another common pattern involves the use of 'destacar' with the conjunction 'que' to introduce a clause. This is very common in formal speeches, news, and academic writing to signal that the following information is critical. It functions like saying 'It is important to emphasize that...' or 'Note that...'.

Vale destacar que as inscrições terminam amanhã às cinco horas.

Passive Voice
Sometimes 'destacar' is used in the passive voice to indicate that something was made prominent by someone else. 'As falhas foram destacadas pelo auditor' (The flaws were highlighted by the auditor).

Muitos pontos foram destacados durante a reunião de ontem.

Finally, consider the usage of 'destacar' in design and marketing. When creating a website, you might need to 'destacar um botão' (highlight a button). This usually implies changing its color, size, or position to ensure the user notices it immediately. This physical-to-digital transition of the word is very natural in modern Portuguese.

Precisamos destacar o botão de compra para aumentar as vendas.

You will encounter 'destacar' across a wide spectrum of Portuguese life, from the classroom to the boardroom, and even in the lively streets during festivals. Understanding these contexts will help you sound more natural and grasp the nuances of the word.

In the Media and News
News anchors and journalists use 'destacar' constantly. It is the professional way to summarize the main points of a story. You'll often hear: 'A notícia que se destaca hoje é...' (The news that stands out today is...). It is used to prioritize information for the audience.

O jornal resolveu destacar a crise econômica na capa da edição.

In the Corporate World
During meetings, 'destacar' is used to talk about KPIs, goals, and achievements. Managers use it to give credit to employees or to draw focus to specific project milestones. It is a formal and positive verb in this environment.

Gostaria de destacar o excelente trabalho da equipe de marketing.

In educational settings, teachers use it to guide students through texts. 'Destaquem os verbos no pretérito' (Highlight the verbs in the past tense). It is an instructional command. Similarly, students might ask, 'O que devo destacar neste capítulo?' (What should I highlight in this chapter?).

O professor pediu para destacar os nomes próprios no texto.

Sports and Competitions
In sports commentary, an athlete who plays exceptionally well 'se destaca'. It’s about performance that is visibly superior to others. 'O jogador se destacou na partida final' means he was the MVP or the star of the show.

O jovem atacante se destacou logo nos primeiros minutos do jogo.

Finally, in everyday social life, you might hear it in fashion or interior design. 'Essa cor destaca os seus olhos' (This color highlights your eyes). It’s a very common way to give a compliment about someone's appearance or choice of clothing. It suggests harmony and visual appeal.

While 'destacar' is a relatively straightforward verb, English speakers often stumble on its reflexive usage and its distinction from other similar verbs. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic and precise.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Reflexive 'Se'
The most common error is saying 'Ele destaca na sala' when you mean 'He stands out in the room.' Without the 'se', the sentence is incomplete because 'destacar' requires an object. You must say 'Ele se destaca' or 'Ele destaca-se'.

Incorreto: Ela destaca muito bem.
Correto: Ela se destaca muito bem.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Sublinhar'
While 'destacar' can mean to highlight with a marker, 'sublinhar' specifically means to underline. If you draw a line under a word, use 'sublinhar'. If you use a highlighter or emphasize it through speech, use 'destacar'. Using 'sublinhar' for metaphorical emphasis is less common than in English.

Não confunda: destacar (highlight/emphasize) com sublinhar (underline).

Another mistake is overusing 'destacar' when 'enfatizar' or 'frisar' might be more appropriate in highly academic settings. While not wrong, 'destacar' is slightly more general. In a formal thesis, 'frisar' (to stress) or 'salientar' (to point out) can add variety to your vocabulary.

Mistake 3: Pronunciation of the 'e'
Learners often pronounce the 'e' in 'destacar' as a long English 'e' (dee-stacar). In Portuguese, it is a closed 'e' (/deʃ.ta.ˈkaɾ/ or /des.ta.ˈkaɾ/), sounding more like the 'e' in 'bed' but slightly more closed, or even a reduced neutral vowel in some dialects.

Dica de pronúncia: O som inicial é curto e suave, nunca longo como 'dee'.

Lastly, be careful with the preposition after 'destacar-se'. Usually, it is 'entre' (among) or 'por' (because of). Using 'in' (em) is less common and can sometimes sound like a direct translation from English 'stand out in'. Try to stick to 'entre a multidão' or 'pela sua coragem'.

To sound like a sophisticated Portuguese speaker, you should know when to use 'destacar' and when to swap it for a more specific synonym. Here is a breakdown of the most common alternatives and how they differ in nuance and register.

Enfatizar
This is a direct cognate for 'emphasize'. It is slightly more formal than 'destacar' and is used primarily for ideas, speech, and arguments. You wouldn't use 'enfatizar' to describe a person standing out in a crowd.

O autor quis enfatizar a necessidade de mudança social.

Salientar
Meaning 'to point out' or 'to bring to the foreground'. It is common in professional and academic writing. It carries a nuance of 'making something salient' or visible that might otherwise be missed.

Gostaria de salientar que todos os prazos foram cumpridos.

For more specific contexts, you might use 'realçar' (to enhance or bring out). This is very common in beauty, art, and cooking. For example, 'O sal realça o sabor' (Salt enhances the flavor). While 'destacar' makes something stand out, 'realçar' makes it better or more intense.

Frisar
A very common verb in Portuguese news and debates. It means 'to stress' or 'to reiterate'. It is used when someone wants to make absolutely sure that a specific point has been understood.

É importante frisar que esta é uma decisão temporária.

Finally, 'notabilizar-se' is a high-register synonym for 'destacar-se'. It implies becoming famous or notable for something. You would use this when talking about historical figures or great scientists. 'Ele se notabilizou pelas suas descobertas na medicina' (He became notable for his discoveries in medicine).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɛʃ.tɐ.ˈkaɾ/
US /des.ta.ˈkaɾ/
The stress is on the last syllable: 'kar'.
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the first 'e' as a long 'ee'.
  • Stressing the second syllable 'ta' instead of 'kar'.
  • Making the 's' too heavy in regions where it should be a 'sh' sound.
  • Omission of the final 'r' sound in informal Brazilian speech.
  • Confusing the 'des
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Examples by Level

1

Eu vou destacar o seu nome aqui.

I will highlight your name here.

Simple future with 'ir' + infinitive.

2

Onde está a caneta para destacar?

Where is the pen for highlighting?

Infinitive used as a noun/purpose.

3

Você pode destacar o preço?

Can you highlight the price?

Interrogative with 'poder'.

4

Destaque as palavras novas no texto.

Highlight the new words in the text.

Imperative (você form).

5

Eu destaco o título com vermelho.

I highlight the title with red.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

6

Ela gosta de destacar tudo.

She likes to highlight everything.

Verb 'gostar' followed by 'de' + infinitive.

7

Nós destacamos os erros.

We highlighted the errors.

Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito), 1st person plural.

8

Eles não destacam nada.

They don't highlight anything.

Negative sentence in the present tense.

1

Ela se destaca na aula de música.

She stands out in music class.

Reflexive verb 'se destacar'.

2

Esta camisa destaca o azul dos seus olhos.

This shirt highlights the blue of your eyes.

Transitive usage for appearance.

3

O jogador se destacou no jogo ontem.

The player stood out in the game yesterday.

Reflexive in the past tense.

4

Quero destacar este ponto importante.

I want to highlight this important point.

Verb 'querer' + infinitive.

5

Eles se destacam pelo esforço.

They stand out because of their effort.

Reflexive + preposition 'pelo'.

6

O prédio se destaca na paisagem.

The building stands out in the landscape.

Reflexive for physical prominence.

7

Você se destaca quando fala português.

You stand out when you speak Portuguese.

Reflexive in a subordinate clause.

8

O sol destaca as cores das flores.

The sun highlights the colors of the flowers.

Transitive usage in nature.

1

Gostaria de destacar que o projeto foi um sucesso.

I would like to highlight that the project was a success.

Conditional 'gostaria' + 'que' clause.

2

O relatório destaca os riscos da operação.

The report highlights the risks of the operation.

Transitive usage in business context.

3

Ela se destacou entre todos os candidatos.

She stood out among all the candidates.

Reflexive + 'entre' (among).

4

É preciso destacar a necessidade de investimento.

It is necessary to highlight the need for investment.

Impersonal 'é preciso' + infinitive.

5

O autor destaca o tema da solidão no livro.

The author highlights the theme of loneliness in the book.

Transitive usage in literary context.

6

O site destaca as notícias mais lidas.

The website highlights the most read news.

Transitive usage in tech context.

7

Ele conseguiu se destacar apesar das dificuldades.

He managed to stand out despite the difficulties.

Reflexive with 'conseguir' + 'apesar de'.

8

Vamos destacar os benefícios do novo produto.

Let's highlight the benefits of the new product.

First person plural future with 'vamos'.

1

Cabe destacar que a lei mudou recentemente.

It is worth highlighting that the law changed recently.

Formal expression 'Cabe destacar'.

2

A empresa se destacou no mercado internacional.

The company stood out in the international market.

Reflexive in a global business context.

3

O crítico resolveu destacar a atuação da atriz.

The critic decided to highlight the actress's performance.

Transitive usage for artistic evaluation.

4

As falhas foram destacadas pela auditoria.

The flaws were highlighted by the audit.

Passive voice 'foram destacadas'.

5

Ele sempre procura se destacar pela inovação.

He always seeks to stand out through innovation.

Reflexive with 'procurar' + 'pela'.

6

O governo quer destacar a redução da inflação.

The government wants to highlight the reduction in inflation.

Political context, transitive usage.

7

A luz do luar destacava as sombras na floresta.

The moonlight highlighted the shadows in the forest.

Imperfect tense (Pretérito Imperfeito).

8

Muitas vozes se destacaram no protesto.

Many voices stood out in the protest.

Reflexive usage with plural subject.

1

Ao destacar os pormenores, o orador cativou o público.

By highlighting the details, the speaker captivated the audience.

Gerundial sense with 'Ao' + infinitive.

2

A sua obra se destaca pela profundidade filosófica.

His work stands out for its philosophical depth.

Reflexive usage in academic context.

3

É imperativo destacar a correlação entre os dados.

It is imperative to highlight the correlation between the data.

Formal adjective 'imperativo' + infinitive.

4

O exército destacou tropas para a fronteira.

The army dispatched troops to the border.

Military usage (to dispatch/detach).

5

A pintura destaca-se pelo uso magistral da cor.

The painting stands out for its masterful use of color.

Reflexive with enclisis (Portugal style).

6

Não se pode deixar de destacar a importância histórica deste evento.

One cannot fail to highlight the historical importance of this event.

Double negative 'não se pode deixar de'.

7

O relatório destacou as discrepâncias orçamentais.

The report highlighted the budgetary discrepancies.

Transitive usage, high-level business.

8

Ela se destacou como uma líder visionária.

She stood out as a visionary leader.

Reflexive + 'como' (as).

1

A hermenêutica permite destacar sentidos ocultos no texto.

Hermeneutics allows for highlighting hidden meanings in the text.

Abstract academic usage.

2

O filósofo se destaca da tradição racionalista.

The philosopher stands apart from the rationalist tradition.

Reflexive + 'de' (to stand apart from).

3

Cumpre destacar a sutil diferenciação entre os conceitos.

It is necessary to highlight the subtle differentiation between the concepts.

Archaic/Formal 'Cumpre' + infinitive.

4

A patologia destaca-se pela sua rápida evolução.

The pathology is notable for its rapid evolution.

Medical/Scientific usage.

5

O autor destaca a efemeridade da vida em seus poemas.

The author highlights the ephemerality of life in his poems.

Literary/Philosophical usage.

6

A estratégia destacou unidades móveis para o flanco leste.

The strategy deployed mobile units to the eastern flank.

Military/Strategic usage.

7

A singularidade do caso se destaca no panorama jurídico.

The uniqueness of the case stands out in the legal panorama.

Reflexive in legal theory.

8

Importa destacar a natureza intrínseca do fenômeno.

It is important to highlight the intrinsic nature of the phenomenon.

Formal 'Importa' + infinitive.

Common Collocations

Destacar a importância
Destacar um ponto
Destacar-se na multidão
Destacar resultados
Destacar o texto
Destacar pela qualidade
Destacar talentos
Destacar o papel de
Destacar a necessidade
Destacar recursos

Common Phrases

Vale destacar que

— It is worth highlighting that. Used to introduce important info.

Vale destacar que o evento é gratuito.

Cabe destacar que

— It is appropriate to highlight that. Very formal.

Cabe destacar que a decisão é final.

Sem se destacar

— Without standing out. Being discreet.

Ele entrou na sala sem se destacar.

Ponto de destaque

— Highlight point. The main feature.

O ponto de destaque da viagem foi o mar.

Ganhar destaque

— To gain prominence or become famous.

A notícia ganhou destaque nos jornais.

Em destaque

— In the spotlight or featured.

O livro está em destaque na vitrine.

Destaque do ano

— Highlight of the year. Award category.

Ele foi eleito o destaque do ano.

Destaque visual

— Visual highlight. Design term.

A cor vermelha dá um destaque visual.

Não há o que destacar

— There is nothing to highlight. Nothing special.

O filme foi mediano, não há o que destacar.

Destaque especial

— Special highlight. Extra emphasis.

Damos um destaque especial aos voluntários.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar destaque a"

— To give prominence to something or someone.

A mídia deu destaque ao escândalo.

Neutral
"Ficar em destaque"

— To be in a prominent position.

O anúncio ficou em destaque no site.

Neutral
"Ser o destaque da festa"

— To be the 'life of the party' or most noticed person.

Ela foi o destaque da festa com seu vestido.

Informal
"Chamar para destaque"

— To call someone out for recognition.

O chefe o chamou para destaque na reunião.

Professional
"Destaque de primeira página"

— Front-page news. Something very important.

O crime foi destaque de primeira página.

Journalistic
"Sair do destaque"

— To lose prominence or stop being the focus.

O assunto saiu do destaque após uma semana.

Neutral
"Destaque de escola de samba"

— A person in a prominent position on a carnival float.

Ela será destaque da Mangueira este ano.

Cultural
"Ter destaque garantido"

— To be certain to stand out.

Com esse talento, você tem destaque garantido.

Neutral
"Destaque absoluto"

— The absolute highlight. Unrivaled.

O show foi o destaque absoluto do festival.

Enthusiastic
"Perder o destaque"

— To fade into the background.

A marca perdeu o destaque para a concorrência.

Business
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

destacar Spanish
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