esclarecer
1. to make something clear or easier to understand by explaining it
Could you clarify what you meant by that statement?
Você poderia esclarecer o que quis dizer com essa afirmação?
2. to make a liquid clear or transparent by removing impurities
Clarify the butter by removing the milk solids.
Esclareça a manteiga removendo os sólidos do leite.
3. to become clear or transparent
The water will clarify once the sediment settles.
A água se esclarecerá quando o sedimento se assentar.
In Brazilian business and academic contexts, 'esclarecer' is the standard term used in formal communication. In casual conversation, Brazilians might say 'tirar uma dúvida' (clear up a doubt) or 'explicar melhor' (explain better). In the USA, 'to clarify' is frequently used in professional and educational settings to request further explanation without implying the previous statement was wrong or unclear.
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