Spanish Conversation · Level 9
90 words
Spanish word
significar
Pronunciation
IPA/siɣnifiˈkaɾ/
Meaning
- verbmean
Example
¿Qué significa esta palabra?
What does this word mean?
More examples
Ese gesto significa mucho para ella.
That gesture means a lot to her.
Core concept
The act of conveying the sense or reference of a word, sign, or fact.
Common phrases
significar algo
mean something
significar mucho
mean a lot
significar algo para alguien
mean something to someone
Similar words
querer decir: States the speaker's intended meaning or what they aim to say.
expresar: Communicates emotions or thoughts by speech, gesture, or style.
mostrar: Displays the presence or state of something by making it visible.
Definition in Spanish
Transmitir o indicar el sentido, la idea o la referencia de una palabra, un signo o un hecho.
Word origin
From Latin significare 'to make a sign', reflecting signum 'sign' plus facere 'to make' and the idea of a sign pointing to meaning.
Usage tips
- Note the cognate English 'signify', but remember Spanish speakers often use phrases like ¿qué quieres decir? to challenge intent rather than significar.
Other meanings
- representverb
- indicateverb
Related words
- significadomeaningnoun
- significativomeaningfuladjective
- significativamentesignificantlyadverb