Confusing 'significar' with 'querer decir'
Mistake: “Saying 'Eso significa...' when you mean 'That's what I mean.'”
Correction: Use 'Eso es lo que quiero decir' or 'A eso me refiero.'
How to say
That's what I mean
in SpanishA eso me refiero
ah EH-soh meh reh-fee-EH-roh
This is the most standard and direct way to say 'That's what I mean' or 'That's what I'm referring to.' It's perfect for clarifying a point in any conversation, from casual chats to business meetings.
Getting your point across clearly is a great feeling. Phrases like 'A eso me refiero' help connect your thoughts to your listener's understanding.
🎬Watch & Learn
That's what I mean — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
Eso es lo que quiero decir
★★★★★
EH-soh ess loh keh kee-EH-roh deh-SEER
neutral🌍
A very common and slightly more literal translation of 'That's what I want to say/mean.' It's completely interchangeable with 'A eso me refiero' in most situations.
When to use: Use this when you've been trying to explain something and want to confirm you've finally phrased it correctly, or when someone else phrases it for you.
Exacto
★★★★★
ex-ACK-toh
informal🌍
A short, powerful way to say 'Exactly!' This implies enthusiastic agreement and confirms that the other person has perfectly captured your thought.
When to use: When someone else says the exact thing you were thinking or trying to say. It's a great way to build rapport and show you're on the same page.
Eso mismo
★★★★☆
EH-soh MEES-moh
informal🌍
Literally 'That same thing.' It's very similar to 'Exacto' and is used to express strong agreement and confirm that what was just said is precisely what you mean.
When to use: A great, natural-sounding alternative to 'Exacto'. Perfect for casual conversations with friends.
Justo a eso me refiero
★★★★☆
HOOS-toh ah EH-soh meh reh-fee-EH-roh
neutral🌍
An emphatic version of the primary translation, adding 'justo' (just, exactly) for emphasis. It translates to 'That's *exactly* what I'm referring to.'
When to use: When you want to add extra emphasis to your clarification, perhaps after a misunderstanding.
A eso voy
★★★☆☆
ah EH-soh voy
neutral🌍
This translates more like 'That's what I'm getting at' or 'That's where I'm going with this.' It implies you're in the process of making a point.
When to use: Use this when you're building an argument or explanation and someone either interrupts or correctly guesses your conclusion. It signals 'Yes, that's the point I'm leading to.'
Precisamente
★★★☆☆
preh-see-sah-MEN-teh
neutral🌍
Means 'Precisely.' Like 'Exacto,' it's a one-word confirmation, but it can sound slightly more formal or thoughtful.
When to use: A good option in professional or academic settings, or when you want to sound a bit more deliberate in your agreement.
Quise decir eso
★★★★☆
KEE-seh deh-SEER EH-soh
neutral🌍
The past tense version, meaning 'I meant that' or 'I wanted to say that.' It’s used to clarify a statement you made in the past.
When to use: Perfect for clearing up a misunderstanding. For example, if someone reacts unexpectedly to your comment, you can say, 'No, no, quise decir eso...' (No, no, I meant...).
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on whether you're agreeing, clarifying, or leading to a point. Here's a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| A eso me refiero | Neutral | The most standard way to clarify your specific point in any conversation. | It's rarely wrong, but 'Exacto' is faster for simple agreement. |
| Eso es lo que quiero decir | Neutral | Clarifying your intended meaning, almost identical to 'A eso me refiero'. | You're trying to be very concise; it's a bit longer than other options. |
| Exacto / Eso mismo | Informal | Quick, enthusiastic agreement when someone says exactly what you're thinking. | You need to add more explanation. It's a conversation-ender, not a starter. |
| A eso voy | Neutral | Signaling that someone has correctly guessed the point you are building towards. | You are just clarifying a simple statement. It implies a larger point is coming. |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerPractice for several days
Pronunciation2/5
Mostly straightforward. The only tricky part for some is the single 'r' in 'refiero', which should be a quick tap of the tongue, not a full roll.
Grammar2/5
The main grammatical concept is the reflexive verb 'referirse' ('me refiero'). Once you learn it as a set chunk, it's easy to use.
Cultural Nuance2/5
The usage is quite direct. The main nuance is choosing between a simple agreement ('Exacto') and a more detailed clarification ('A eso me refiero').
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to include 'me' in 'me refiero'.
- Knowing the subtle difference between 'A eso me refiero' and 'A eso voy'.
💡Examples in Action
Casual conversation between friends discussing a movie.B1
—No me gusta la película por el ritmo lento, no por los actores. —¡Exacto! A eso me refiero. Arruina la tensión.
—I don't like the movie because of the slow pacing, not the actors. —Exactly! That's what I mean. It ruins the tension.
Work meeting discussing strategy.B2
—Entonces, ¿propones que nos enfoquemos en marketing digital en lugar de eventos presenciales? —Sí, eso es lo que quiero decir. El retorno de inversión es mayor.
—So, you're proposing we focus on digital marketing instead of in-person events? —Yes, that's what I mean. The return on investment is higher.
A practical discussion about finances.B1
—El problema no es el coche en sí, sino lo caro que es el mantenimiento. —A eso voy. Comprarlo es solo el primer paso.
—The problem isn't the car itself, but how expensive the maintenance is. —That's what I'm getting at. Buying it is just the first step.
Clearing up a misunderstanding in a serious conversation.B2
Me expresé mal antes. Quise decir que aprecio tu honestidad, aunque no esté de acuerdo.
I expressed myself poorly before. I meant that I appreciate your honesty, even if I don't agree.
🌍Cultural Context
Building Consensus
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, conversation is very collaborative. Using phrases like 'Exacto' or 'A eso me refiero' isn't just about clarifying your own point; it's about actively showing you're listening and building an idea together. It's a verbal nod that strengthens the connection between speakers.
Don't Forget the Gestures!
Especially in Spain, Italy, and Argentina, these phrases are often accompanied by hand gestures. A common one is the 'pinched fingers' gesture (bunching your fingertips together and pointing them upwards), which adds emphasis to your point, as if to say 'This specific thing!'.
Directness and Politeness
While Spanish can be a very direct language, these phrases help soften corrections or clarifications. Instead of saying 'You're wrong,' you can guide the conversation by saying 'A eso voy...' (I'm getting to that...), which is a more collaborative and less confrontational way to steer the dialogue.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Errors
Mistake: “Trying to translate word-for-word, like 'Eso es qué yo significo' or 'Es lo que yo miento.'”
Correction: A eso me refiero.
Forgetting the 'me' in 'me refiero'
Mistake: “Saying 'A eso refiero.'”
Correction: A eso me refiero.
💡Pro Tips
Use 'Exacto' for Quick Agreement
When someone perfectly voices your opinion, a sharp, enthusiastic '¡Exacto!' is the most natural and common response. It's friendly, fast, and shows you're completely aligned.
Use 'A eso me refiero' for Deeper Clarification
If you need to elaborate on your point, 'A eso me refiero' is the perfect starting point. It signals, 'Yes, that's the topic, and now I'm going to add more detail.' It's great for discussions and debates.
Master the Past Tense for Clearing Things Up
Keep 'Quise decir...' ('I meant to say...') in your back pocket. It's incredibly useful for backtracking and fixing a communication mistake politely. It shows self-awareness and helps keep conversations smooth.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:A eso me refiero / Exacto
Pronunciation:The 'c' in 'precisamente' and 'decir' is pronounced with a 'th' sound (like 'thing') in most of the country. The final 'd' in words like 'verdad' is often softened or dropped.
Alternatives:
JustoEfectivamente
Usage is often accompanied by expressive hand gestures. The phrase 'Efectivamente' (Effectively / Indeed) is a slightly more formal but common way to confirm something, especially in professional settings.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Eso es lo que quiero decir / Exacto
Pronunciation:Pronunciation is generally very clear. The 's' sound is always crisp. The 'c' and 'z' are pronounced like an 's'.
Alternatives:
Ándale, a eso me refieroJustamente
'Ándale' is a very common Mexican interjection that can mean 'exactly', 'that's it', or 'come on'. Using it before 'a eso me refiero' makes it sound very natural and local.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:A eso me refiero / Tal cual
Pronunciation:The 'll' and 'y' sounds are pronounced like 'sh' in English ('me refiero' might sound like 'me re-fee-EH-sho' to some). Intonation is very melodic and distinct.
Alternatives:
Tal cualPosta
'Tal cual' is extremely common and means 'Just like that' or 'Exactly.' The informal word 'Posta' (like 'For real') can also be used to affirm what someone said is true to your meaning. Often, Argentinians will add '¿viste?' at the end of a sentence for emphasis.
💬What Comes Next?
After you clarify your point with 'A eso me refiero...'
They say:
Ah, ya veo. / Ahora entiendo.
Oh, I see. / Now I understand.
→
You respond:
Qué bueno. / Perfecto.
That's good. / Perfect.
You agree with someone by saying '¡Exacto!'
They say:
¿Verdad que sí? / ¿A que sí?
Right? / Told you so, right?
→
You respond:
Sí, totalmente. / Sin duda.
Yes, totally. / Without a doubt.
You clarify a past comment with 'Quise decir que...'
They say:
Ah, vale, gracias por aclarar.
Oh, okay, thanks for clarifying.
→
You respond:
De nada, fue un malentendido.
You're welcome, it was a misunderstanding.
🧠Memory Tricks
Connect 'refiero' to the English word 'refer'. 'A eso me refiero' sounds like 'To that, I refer myself'. It helps you remember that you're pointing to a specific idea.
This links the Spanish verb to a familiar English one, making the meaning easier to recall. The 'me' reminds you it's about *your* meaning.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the variety and specificity. English relies heavily on 'I mean' and 'exactly'. Spanish has a wider range of common, nuanced options like 'a eso voy' (that's what I'm getting at) or 'eso mismo' (that very thing), which are used frequently in daily conversation to show different shades of clarification and agreement.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"That signifies..."
Why it''s different: In English, 'signifies' can sometimes be used for personal meaning, but in Spanish, 'significa' is almost exclusively for definitions and objective meanings, not personal intent.
Use instead: Use 'significa' for definitions ('¿Qué significa esta palabra?'). Use 'quiero decir' for your personal meaning.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I don't understand'
If you need to clarify what you mean, you'll also need to know when you don't understand others.
How to say 'I agree'
Phrases like 'Exacto' are a form of agreement, so learning more ways to agree is a natural next step.
How to say 'For example'
After saying 'A eso me refiero,' you often provide an example to further clarify your point.
How to say 'In other words'
This is another key phrase for clarification, allowing you to rephrase your idea for better understanding.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: That's what I mean
Question 1 of 3
Your friend is describing a feeling about a song, and they say the exact words you were thinking of. What's the quickest and most natural response?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'A eso me refiero' and 'Eso es lo que quiero decir'?
Honestly, they are 99% interchangeable in everyday conversation. 'A eso me refiero' is literally 'I refer to that,' while 'Eso es lo que quiero decir' is 'That is what I want to say.' Both are used to mean 'That's what I mean.' Don't stress the difference; you can use them both.
Can 'Exacto' sound rude or dismissive?
Not at all! In Spanish, it's almost always taken as a positive and enthusiastic sign of agreement. Your tone of voice is key, of course, but a friendly '¡Exacto!' is a great way to build rapport and show you're on the same wavelength.
Why can't I just say 'Yo significo...' for 'I mean...'?
The verb 'significar' in Spanish is reserved for what words or signs mean in a dictionary sense. For your personal, intended meaning, you always use expressions with 'querer decir' (to want to say) or 'referirse' (to refer to). It's a common mistake for English speakers, so learning this rule will make you sound much more natural.
How do I say 'I mean...' when I'm about to correct myself, like 'I'm coming on Tuesday... I mean, Wednesday'?
For that quick correction, you'd use 'o sea' or 'quiero decir'. For example: 'Llego el martes... o sea, el miércoles.' or 'Llego el martes... quiero decir, el miércoles.' 'O sea' is extremely common for this kind of self-correction.
Are any of these phrases more common in Spain versus Latin America?
All the main variations are understood everywhere. However, you might hear 'A eso me refiero' slightly more in Spain, while 'Eso es lo que quiero decir' is very frequent in Mexico. Regional phrases like 'Tal cual' in Argentina are also very common locally but understood elsewhere.
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