Spanish word

importar

Pronunciation

IPA/impoɾˈtaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbmind

Example

¿Te importa si abro la ventana?

Do you mind if I open the window?

Illustration for importar (mind)

More examples

Me importa que llegues a tiempo.

It matters to me that you arrive on time.

Core concept

Something that matters to a person.

Common phrases

  • me importa mucho

    matter a lot to me

  • importar a alguien

    matter to someone

  • ¿te importa?

    matter to you

Similar words

molestar: Causes annoyance or discomfort and makes a person feel bothered.
interesar: Arouses curiosity or interest and makes a person want to learn more.
preocupar: Creates worry or anxiety, leaving a person uneasy or restless.
afectar: Produces changes in a person's emotions or everyday life.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para expresar que algo interesa o preocupa a alguien y tiene valor para esa persona; también puede significar traer bienes de otro país.

Word origin

From Latin importare (in 'into' + portare 'carry'), originally 'carry in' and so used for bringing goods in and for bringing something into a person's concerns.

Usage tips

  • Spanish marks the person affected with an indirect-object pronoun (me/te/le), so 'Me importa X' means 'X matters to me' rather than 'I import X'.

Other meanings

  • matterverb
  • importverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word