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recalcar

reh-kahl-KAHR/re.kalˈkaɾ/

“recalcar” means “to emphasize” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to emphasize

Also: to stress, to underline
VerbB1spelling change ar
A bright yellow highlighter marking a bold black line on a piece of paper.
gerundrecalcando
past Participlerecalcado
infinitiverecalcar

📝 In Action

Quiero recalcar que esta es una oportunidad única.

A2

I want to emphasize that this is a unique opportunity.

El director recalcó la importancia de trabajar en equipo.

B1

The director stressed the importance of working as a team.

No hace falta que lo recalques, ya lo entendí.

B2

You don't need to stress it, I already understood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • recalcar la importancia – to emphasize the importance
  • recalcar un punto – to stress a point
  • cabe recalcar – it is worth emphasizing

to reiterate

Also: to hammer home
VerbC1regular ar
A megaphone with sound waves coming out of it to show a message being repeated loudly.
gerundrecalcando
past Participlerecalcado
infinitiverecalcar

📝 In Action

Me lo ha recalcado mil veces y sigo sin entender.

B2

He has reiterated it to me a thousand times and I still don't understand.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • recalcar una y otra vez – to emphasize over and over again

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecalcaran
yorecalcara
túrecalcaras
vosotrosrecalcarais
nosotrosrecalcáramos
él/ella/ustedrecalcara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecalquen
yorecalque
túrecalques
vosotrosrecalquéis
nosotrosrecalquemos
él/ella/ustedrecalque

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecalcaron
yorecalqué
túrecalcaste
vosotrosrecalcasteis
nosotrosrecalcamos
él/ella/ustedrecalcó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecalcaban
yorecalcaba
túrecalcabas
vosotrosrecalcabais
nosotrosrecalcábamos
él/ella/ustedrecalcaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecalcan
yorecalco
túrecalcas
vosotrosrecalcáis
nosotrosrecalcamos
él/ella/ustedrecalca
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "recalcar" in Spanish:

to emphasize→to reiterate→to stress→to underline→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: recalcar

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is the correct 'I' form for the past tense of 'recalcar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
calcar(to trace or copy) — Verb
recalco(emphasis) — Noun
calco(copy/tracing) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again' or 'very') and the verb 'calcar' (to press or trace). Originally, it meant to press down firmly, which evolved into 'pressing' an idea into someone's mind.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: ricalcare

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'enfatizar' and 'recalcar'?

They are very similar! 'Enfatizar' is a bit more formal and academic, while 'recalcar' is more common in everyday speech and sounds slightly more forceful.

Can 'recalcar' mean 'to trace'?

No, 'calcar' means to trace. 'Recalcar' has moved away from that physical meaning and almost always refers to emphasizing words or ideas.

Is 'recalcar' a regular verb?

Mostly, yes! It only has minor spelling changes (c to qu) in the 'I' form of the past and in the special 'wish/command' forms (subjunctive).