Inklingo

How to Say "insignificant" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “insignificant” is “insignificante” — use this word when something lacks importance or meaning, like a small detail that doesn't affect the bigger picture.

English → Spanish

insignificante

een-seeg-nee-fee-KAHN-tehinsiɣnifiˈkante

adjectiveB1general
Use this word when something lacks importance or meaning, like a small detail that doesn't affect the bigger picture.
A tiny, plain pebble sitting next to a large, sparkling gemstone.

Examples

No te preocupes por eso, es un detalle insignificante.

Don't worry about that, it's an insignificant detail.

Me sentí insignificante ante la inmensidad del océano.

I felt insignificant before the vastness of the ocean.

One Form for All

This adjective ends in '-e', which means it stays the same regardless of whether you are describing a masculine or feminine noun.

Don't add 'a'

Mistake: “una cosa insignificanta”

Correction: una cosa insignificante

irrelevante

ee-rreh-leh-BAHN-tehireleˈβante

adjectiveB1general
Choose this word when something is too unimportant to be worth considering or doesn't affect the outcome of a situation.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a single, bright blue button on a plain table, ignored by a person who is busy fixing a large, complex wooden toy.

Examples

Ese detalle es irrelevante para nuestra decisión final.

That detail is irrelevant to our final decision.

No te preocupes por eso; es un tema totalmente irrelevante.

Don't worry about that; it's a completely unimportant topic.

Sus opiniones personales son irrelevantes en este juicio.

His personal opinions are insignificant in this trial.

One Form for All Genders

This word doesn't change based on whether you're talking about a man or a woman (or a masculine or feminine noun). It always ends in 'e'.

Placement After the Noun

Like most adjectives in Spanish, 'irrelevante' usually comes after the person or thing you are describing, such as 'un dato irrelevante' (an irrelevant piece of data).

Watch the Spelling

Mistake: “irrelevant”

Correction: irrelevante

Don't change the ending to 'o' or 'a'

Mistake: “La información es irrelevanta.”

Correction: La información es irrelevante. (Words ending in -e don't switch to -a for feminine things.)

marginal

mar-hee-NALmaɾxiˈnal

adjectiveB2general
Use this term to describe a change or amount that is so small it barely makes a difference, often in a quantifiable context like statistics.
A small, single sprout growing in a large field of tall, golden wheat.

Examples

Hubo una mejora marginal en las ventas este mes.

There was a marginal improvement in sales this month.

El costo marginal de producción es muy bajo.

The marginal cost of production is very low.

Escribió una nota marginal en el libro.

He wrote a marginal note (a note in the margin) in the book.

Placement for emphasis

When 'marginal' means 'insignificant,' it almost always comes after the noun it describes.

False Friend Check

Mistake: “Thinking 'marginal' only means 'small'.”

Correction: While it can mean 'small', it literally means 'on the edge.' Use it when something is on the border of being important or not.

despreciable

des-pre-SYAH-blehdespreˈθjaβle

adjectiveC1general
This word implies something is so unimportant or small that it can be disregarded or considered worthless, often implying a very low quantity or risk.
A single tiny grain of sand sitting next to a very large, smooth beach stone.

Examples

El riesgo de accidente es prácticamente despreciable.

The risk of an accident is practically negligible.

Hubo una cantidad despreciable de lluvia este mes.

There was an insignificant amount of rain this month.

Insignificante vs. Irrelevante

Learners often confuse 'insignificante' and 'irrelevante'. While both mean unimportant, 'insignificante' often refers to something lacking inherent importance or meaning, whereas 'irrelevante' specifically means it doesn't affect or relate to the matter at hand.

Related Translations

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