significar
/sig-ni-fi-CAR/
to mean
This image illustrates "significar" as to mean, showing how an object (the apple) represents a concept (fruit/harvest).
significar(Verb)
to mean
?What a word or concept represents
,to signify
?To stand for something
to denote
?Formal reference
📝 In Action
¿Qué significa esa palabra en español?
A1What does that word mean in Spanish?
Para mí, la amistad significa lealtad.
A2For me, friendship means loyalty.
El semáforo en rojo significa que debes parar.
A2The red light signifies that you must stop.
💡 Grammar Points
The -car Spelling Change
To keep the hard 'k' sound of the 'c' before the soft 'e' in the preterite 'yo' form and the entire present subjunctive, the 'c' changes to 'qu' (e.g., 'yo signifiqué,' 'que yo signifique').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Significar' and 'Ser'
Mistake: "'¿Qué es la amistad?' (Asking for a definition, which is okay, but less common)"
Correction: '¿Qué significa la amistad?' (Asking for the meaning or concept is much more natural and common in Spanish.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Question
If you don't know a word, just point and ask: '¿Qué significa esto?' (What does this mean?)
Here, "significar" is used as to matter, depicted by the single glowing star that stands out as important compared to the dull stones.
significar(Verb)
to matter
?To be important or relevant
,to result in
?To cause a consequence
to represent
?To constitute a certain amount/value
📝 In Action
Su renuncia significa una gran pérdida para la empresa.
B1His resignation means a great loss for the company.
Este pequeño cambio en la ley no significa nada para el ciudadano común.
B2This small change in the law doesn't mean anything/doesn't matter to the average citizen.
Cada voto significa que la gente cree en el proceso.
C1Every vote signifies that people believe in the process.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Consequence
In this usage, 'significar' acts like 'to cause' or 'to result in.' The subject is the cause (the event) and the direct object is the consequence (the result).
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Weight
Use this meaning when discussing the weight or relevance of an action, especially when it has serious implications (positive or negative).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: significar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'significar' to express importance or consequence, rather than simple definition?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'significar' and 'querer decir'?
Both mean 'to mean.' 'Significar' is often used for the objective meaning of words, symbols, or actions. 'Querer decir' (literally 'to want to say') is more commonly used in casual conversation, often referring to what a person intended to communicate: '¿Qué quieres decir?' (What do you mean?).
Is 'significar' a difficult verb to conjugate?
No, it's a regular verb, but it has a small spelling change (C to QU) in the preterite 'yo' form and all of the present subjunctive forms. This change is just to keep the hard 'K' sound consistent.