destacar
/destaˈkaɾ/
To stand out in Spanish is destacar.
Destacar is used to describe being obvious or noticeable in contrast to one's surroundings. When you want to specify that someone stands out in a particular field or group, use the preposition en after the verb, as in destacar en.
Meaning: to be obvious in contrast to one's surroundings (verb)
Which one should you use?
While destacar is often used to describe standing out due to excellence or distinction, sobresalir is frequently used when something physically protrudes or stands out from a surface. Additionally, sobresalir can serve as a more formal option to express the general concept of standing out.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, descollar is an alternative to destacar used to mean standing out in a prominent or distinguished manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle destacado can be used as an adjective meaning 'outstanding' or 'prominent'. As an adjective, destacado/a must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/destaˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb destacar is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'detach'. Both words trace back to the French word détacher, which originally meant to unfasten or separate something.
- In a military context, you might hear a commander use destacar to mean 'to deploy' or 'to assign' a specific unit to a post. It is not just about being noticeable, but about moving something to a specific location.
- If you want to 'highlight' or 'emphasize' a specific point during a discussion, you can use destacar as a transitive verb. In this sense, you are not describing a person, but an idea or a detail.
Examples in context
- Quiero destacar.I want to stand out.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to stand out using destacar.Tatoeba #5963713 by arh, translation #8845540 by CK
- Quiero destacar más.I want to stand out more.This sentence shows how to express a desire to stand out more using destacar.Tatoeba #5963883 by arh, translation #8160925 by magnificentgoddess
- El nuevo peinado de Mary la hace destacar entre la multitud.Mary's new hairstyle made her stand out in the crowd.This sentence demonstrates how a hairstyle can make someone stand out in a crowd using destacar.Tatoeba #2077789 by radu107, translation #32019 by CM
- El proyecto presentado por Juan destacó entre los demás.Juan's project stood out among the others.
- La calidad de su trabajo lo hace sobresalir en el equipo.The quality of his work makes him stand out in the team.
- Juan siempre se destaca en las fiestas con su buen sentido del humor.Juan always stands out at parties with his great sense of humor.
- Su estilo de vestir siempre llama la atención en las reuniones.Her fashion style always stands out at gatherings.
- Su personalidad única sobresale del resto de la gente.His unique personality stands out from the rest of the people.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are looking at clothes for a party.
- LucíaEste vestido rojo me hace destacar mucho.This red dress makes me stand out a lot.
- MateoSí, Lucía, resaltas mucho con ese color.Yes, Lucía, you stand out a lot with that color.
- Lucía¿Crees que voy a destacar demasiado?Do you think I will stand out too much?
- MateoNo, Mateo cree que te ves genial.No, Mateo thinks you look great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry destacar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries destacar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
