How to Say "importance" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “importance” is “importancia” — use 'importancia' for the general quality of mattering or being significant in a broad sense.
importancia
im-por-TAN-siaim.porˈtan.sja
Examples
La reunión de hoy tiene mucha importancia para el proyecto.
Today's meeting has a lot of importance for the project.
No le des tanta importancia a ese pequeño error.
Don't give so much importance to that small mistake.
Para mí, la familia es lo que tiene más importancia.
For me, family is what has the most significance.
Feminine Noun Rule
Remember that 'importancia' is a feminine word, so you must use feminine words with it: 'mucha importancia', 'la importancia'.
Using 'de importancia'
You can use 'de importancia' (of importance) as an adjective phrase to describe nouns, like 'un tema de importancia' (an important topic).
Using 'Importante' as a Noun
Mistake: “La importante de la reunión es el presupuesto.”
Correction: La importancia de la reunión es el presupuesto. (The quality of being important is 'importancia', while 'importante' is the adjective.)
relevancia
reh-leh-bahn-syahreleˈβansja
Examples
Esta información no tiene relevancia para el caso.
This information has no relevance to the case.
El tema ha cobrado gran relevancia en los últimos días.
The topic has gained great significance in recent days.
Es un asunto de suma relevancia para el futuro del país.
It is a matter of utmost importance for the country's future.
Always Feminine
This word ends in '-ia,' which usually means it is a feminine noun. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Using 'para'
When you want to say something is relevant 'to' or 'for' something, Spanish usually uses the word 'para'.
Spelling with 'v'
Mistake: “relebancia”
Correction: relevancia (it is always written with a 'v', like 'relevant' in English).
magnitud
mag-nee-TOODmaɣ.niˈtuð
Examples
La magnitud del terremoto fue de 7.5 en la escala de Richter.
The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.5 on the Richter scale.
Todavía no comprendemos la magnitud del problema.
We still don't understand the scale of the problem.
Es una obra de gran magnitud que durará varios años.
It is a work of great magnitude that will last several years.
Feminine Ending Pattern
Spanish words that end in '-tud' (like magnitud, multitud, or actitud) are almost always feminine. Use 'la' and 'una' with them.
Describing Scale
To talk about the size of something specific, use the pattern 'la magnitud de' followed by the thing you are describing.
Gender Error
Mistake: “El magnitud del problema.”
Correction: La magnitud del problema. Even though it doesn't end in 'a', it is a feminine word.
trascendencia
trahs-sen-DEN-syahtɾasθenˈdenθja
Examples
Esta decisión tiene mucha trascendencia para el futuro de la empresa.
This decision has great importance for the future of the company.
Nadie imaginaba la trascendencia que tendrían sus palabras.
No one imagined the significance his words would have.
Es un asunto de gran trascendencia nacional.
It is a matter of great national consequence.
Using 'de' for descriptions
To describe a thing as 'important' using this word, we usually put 'de' before it. For example, instead of saying 'a trascendencia event,' we say 'un evento DE trascendencia'.
Always Feminine
Even though it ends in '-cia,' it follows the rule of most words ending in '-encia': it is always feminine (la trascendencia), regardless of what it is describing.
Confusing with 'importancia'
Mistake: “Using 'trascendencia' for small things like 'la trascendencia de comprar pan'.”
Correction: Use 'importancia' for everyday tasks. Save 'trascendencia' for things that change the future or have a very deep impact.
momento
mo-MEN-tomoˈmento
Examples
Es el momento de actuar y hacer un cambio.
This is the time (the opportune moment) to act and make a change.
El equipo perdió el momento y el otro equipo anotó.
The team lost momentum and the other team scored.
La decisión fue de gran momento para el futuro de la empresa.
The decision was of great importance for the company's future.
monta
MOHN-tahˈmonta
Examples
Es un asunto de gran monta para la empresa.
It is a matter of great importance for the company.
La monta total de la factura es elevada.
The total amount of the invoice is high.
Always Feminine
When used as a noun meaning 'amount,' it is always 'la monta'.
Confusing with the Verb
Mistake: “Thinking 'la monta' means 'the ride'.”
Correction: Use 'el paseo' or 'la cabalgata' for the ride itself; 'la monta' as a noun usually refers to value or amount.
relieve
reh-LYEH-behreˈljeβe
Examples
El informe puso de relieve la falta de inversión en educación.
The report highlighted the lack of investment in education.
Sus logros científicos le dieron un gran relieve internacional.
Her scientific achievements gave her great international prominence.
El problema cobró relieve tras las protestas del lunes.
The problem gained importance after Monday's protests.
The phrase 'poner de relieve'
This is a very common way to say 'to highlight' or 'to emphasize' an idea. Think of it as 'lifting' an idea so everyone can see it.
Missing the 'de'
Mistake: “Poner relieve los problemas.”
Correction: Poner de relieve los problemas. (In this specific phrase, the word 'de' is always required).
significación
Examples
Este descubrimiento tiene una gran significación para la medicina.
This discovery has great significance for medicine.
General vs. Specific Importance
Related Translations
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