Respeitada

Respeitada is the feminine form of the past participle of respeitar in Portuguese, used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is held in high esteem by others. It indicates that the person or entity is regarded with deference, trust, or moral authority, often as a result of demonstrated integrity, expertise, or achievement.

Usage and nuance: Compared with respeitável, which emphasizes general propriety or public decency, respeitada focuses on the state of being respected by others. It is commonly applied to people—such as scholars, leaders, or public figures—but can also describe institutions, traditions, or ideas that command broad respect. The masculine form is respeitado and the feminine form is respeitada; both agree with the noun they modify.

Etymology: The term derives from the verb respeitar, from Latin respectare, meaning to regard or hold in esteem. The sense of earned esteem is preserved in modern use, where the adjective conveys a respected status rather than mere compliance.

Examples: Ela é uma professora respeitada pelo rigor acadêmico. O artista tornou-se respeitado pela comunidade por suas contribuições. A instituição é respeitada pela transparência de suas práticas.

See also: respeito, respeitoso, respeitável, reputação.