significaba
“significaba” means “meant” in Spanish (past definition or representation).
meant, was signifying
Also: implied, represented
📝 In Action
No entendía qué significaba esa palabra en el texto antiguo.
A2I didn't understand what that word meant in the old text.
Para mis abuelos, ese anillo significaba toda una vida de amor.
B1For my grandparents, that ring represented a whole lifetime of love.
Cuando era niño, la Navidad significaba mucha nieve y regalos.
B1When I was a child, Christmas meant a lot of snow and presents (habitual meaning).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: significaba
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'significaba' to describe a past state?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *significare*, which is a combination of *signum* (sign, mark) and *facere* (to make). It literally meant 'to make a sign' or 'to point out'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 'significaba' instead of 'significó'?
'Significaba' (Imperfect) is for describing what something meant over a period of time or what it habitually represented. 'Significó' (Preterite) is reserved for a single, completed moment when something was defined or when its meaning changed abruptly. If the meaning was a background fact in the past, use 'significaba'.
Who is 'significaba' referring to?
'Significaba' can refer to 'yo' (I), 'él/ella' (he/she), or 'usted' (you, formal). However, because the verb 'significar' usually takes a thing or concept as its subject (e.g., 'el libro,' 'la idea'), it is most often used in the 3rd person singular ('it meant').