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destacar means to highlight / to emphasize — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: September 10, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

destacar

verb • /[dehs-tah-KAR]/

to highlight / to emphasize

Example:

El informe destaca los hallazgos más relevantes.

The report highlights the most relevant findings.

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🧠 What does destacar mean?

The Spanish verb 'destacar' means 'to highlight,' 'to emphasize,' or 'to stand out.' It's used to draw attention to something important or noteworthy, whether it's a key point in an essay, a remarkable achievement, or a prominent feature of something. It can also mean 'to excel' or 'to be outstanding' in a particular area.

📚 Extra examples

  • El profesor destacó la importancia de estudiar para el examen.
    The teacher highlighted the importance of studying for the exam.
  • Quiero destacar su contribución al proyecto.
    I want to emphasize his contribution to the project.
  • Ella destaca por su inteligencia y creatividad.
    She stands out for her intelligence and creativity.
  • En su presentación, destacó los beneficios del nuevo producto.
    In his presentation, he highlighted the benefits of the new product.
  • Destaca entre la multitud por su altura.
    He stands out from the crowd because of his height.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to highlight / to emphasize' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to highlight' or 'to emphasize' in Spanish is 'destacar.'
How do you pronounce 'destacar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced des-ta-CAR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'destacar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Quiero destacar su esfuerzo' (I want to highlight his effort), 'El informe destaca la necesidad de cambios' (The report emphasizes the need for changes), 'Ella destaca en matemáticas' (She excels in math).
What is the English translation of 'destacar'?
'Destacar' translates to 'to highlight,' 'to emphasize,' 'to stand out,' or 'to excel.'
Does 'destacar' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'destacar' conjugates like a regular -ar verb. For example, 'yo destaco,' 'tú destacas,' 'él/ella/usted destaca,' 'nosotros/as destacamos,' 'vosotros/as destacáis,' and 'ellos/ellas/ustedes destacan.'
Is 'destacar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'destacar' is a fairly common verb used in both formal and informal settings.
Does 'destacar' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'destacar' doesn't have any common slang meanings or double meanings. Its meaning is generally straightforward.
Is 'destacar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'destacar' are generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'destacar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo destaco Tú destacas Él/Ella/Usted destaca Nosotros/as destacamos Vosotros/as destacáis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes destacan

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "destacar"

Synonyms: resaltar, subrayar, enfatizar, sobresalir
Opposites: ocultar, minimizar, disimular

💡 Did You Know?

The noun form of 'destacar' is 'destaque,' which means 'highlight' or 'prominence.' For example, 'El periódico le dio mucho destaque a la noticia' (The newspaper gave a lot of prominence to the news).

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