destacar
/destaˈkaɾ/
The English phrase 'to stand out' is translated into Spanish as destacar.
Destacar is used to describe someone or something that is much more noticeable or better than others. This can refer to positive distinction, such as being superior in skill or negative distinction, such as being noticeably different or weird. You can use the preposition por after the verb to indicate the specific reason or quality that makes someone or something stand out.
Which one should you use?
While destacar can mean 'to stand out', using it transitively (without a reflexive pronoun) often changes the meaning to 'to highlight' or 'to emphasize' a specific point or fact. Additionally, the phrase sobresalir por encima de la media can be used specifically to mean 'to stand out above average'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The verb resaltar is also used in both Latin America and Spain to mean 'to stand out'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When a subject is standing out for themselves, such as in the sentence 'I want to stand out', the verb is often used in its reflexive form destacarse. The past participle destacado can also function as an adjective meaning 'outstanding' or 'prominent'.
How do you pronounce it?
/destaˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- In military contexts, destacar is used to describe the act of deploying or assigning a troop or officer to a specific post. This uses the idea of 'standing out' in the sense of being detached from a larger group for a special mission.
- The Spanish word destacar is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'detach'. Both come from the French word détacher, which originally meant to unfasten or separate something.
- In some Spanish dialects, using sobresalir implies a physical protrusion, such as a nail sticking out of a wall, whereas destacar is almost always used for metaphorical or social distinction.
Examples in context
- Quiero destacar.I want to stand out.This example shows how to express a desire to use destacar.Tatoeba #5963713 by arh, translation #8845540 by CK
- Quiero destacar más.I want to stand out more.Tatoeba #5963883 by arh, translation #8160925 by magnificentgoddess
- No es difícil destacarse cuando uno está rodeado de idiotas.It's not hard to stand out when you're surrounded by idiots.This example shows the use of the reflexive form destacarse.Tatoeba #660095 by darinmex, translation #660094 by darinmex
- Él destaca en su campo de estudioHe stands out in his field of study
- Su talento le permite sobresalir en cualquier situaciónHis talent allows him to stand out in any situation
- Ella se distingue por su excepcional creatividadShe stands out for her exceptional creativity
- En la fiesta, él siempre se luce con sus chistesAt parties, he always stands out with his jokes
- El equipo brilló en el campeonatoThe team stood out in the championship
- Ella siempre logra captar la atención de todos en la habitaciónShe always manages to stand out among everyone in the room
- El diseño resalta por su originalidadThe design stands out for its originality
- Él destaca por su habilidad en la músicaHe stands out for his musical ability
- Los estudiantes se destacan entre sus compañerosThe students stand out among their peers
- Esta novela sobresale por encima de la media en el géneroThis novel stands out above average in its genre
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about a photography competition.
- SofíaMateo, ¿crees que mis fotos pueden destacar?Mateo, do you think my photos can stand out?
- MateoSí, tu técnica es muy buena y vas a destacar.Yes, your technique is very good and you are going to stand out.
- SofíaEspero que el jurado note algo especial en ellas.I hope the jury notices something special in them.
- MateoCon tu trabajo, es muy probable que lo hagan.With your work, it is very likely they will.
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.
