Inklingo

How to Say "significance" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “significance” is “importancia” — use 'importancia' when referring to the general weight, value, or consequence of something in a broad sense.

importancia🔊B1

Use 'importancia' when referring to the general weight, value, or consequence of something in a broad sense.

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valor🔊A2

Use 'valor' when you want to express the inherent worth, importance, or monetary value of something.

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significado🔊B1

Use 'significado' when the significance is about the meaning or the profound relevance of an event or concept, especially historically.

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relevancia🔊B1

Use 'relevancia' when emphasizing that something is pertinent, applicable, or worthy of attention in a specific context.

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trascendencia🔊B2

Use 'trascendencia' to highlight the lasting impact or future consequences of a decision or event.

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resonancia🔊C1

Use 'resonancia' when the significance refers to a strong impact, echo, or widespread effect, especially in public discourse or media.

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significaciónC1

Use 'significación' to refer to the specific meaning, importance, or weight attached to something, often in a more formal or technical context.

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English → Spanish

importancia

im-por-TAN-siaim.porˈtan.sja

nounB1general
Use 'importancia' when referring to the general weight, value, or consequence of something in a broad sense.
A brightly glowing golden key resting on a tall marble pedestal, symbolizing its significance, surrounded by small, dull grey rocks.

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.)

valor

vah-LORbaˈloɾ

nounA2general
Use 'valor' when you want to express the inherent worth, importance, or monetary value of something.
A single, large, perfectly cut, sparkling diamond resting on a red velvet cushion, symbolizing worth or importance.

Examples

¿Cuál es el valor real de esta joya antigua?

What is the real value of this antique jewel?

El valor del dólar subió hoy.

The value of the dollar went up today.

Ese gesto tiene un gran valor sentimental para mí.

That gesture has great sentimental value for me.

Always Masculine

Since 'valor' is a masculine noun, remember to use the masculine articles: 'el valor' or 'un valor'.

Valor vs. Precio

Mistake: “No entendemos el valor.”

Correction: No entendemos el precio. (Use 'precio' specifically when asking about the ticket/tag price; use 'valor' for abstract or intrinsic worth.)

significado

sig-ni-fi-KAH-dohsiɣnifiˈkaðo

nounB1general
Use 'significado' when the significance is about the meaning or the profound relevance of an event or concept, especially historically.
A bright golden crown sits prominently on a tall, simple stone pedestal, illuminated by a single spotlight, symbolizing importance and significance.

Examples

El evento tuvo un gran significado histórico para la región.

The event had great historical significance for the region.

Su presencia en la reunión carecía de significado.

His presence at the meeting lacked significance (was unimportant).

Analizamos el significado profundo de sus palabras.

We analyzed the profound significance of his words.

Using 'Tener' (To Have)

To express that something is important, you often use the verb tener (to have): 'Esto tiene mucho significado' (This has a lot of significance).

relevancia

reh-leh-bahn-syahreleˈβansja

nounB1general
Use 'relevancia' when emphasizing that something is pertinent, applicable, or worthy of attention in a specific context.
A single bright golden key standing out among several dull grey pebbles on a wooden table.

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).

trascendencia

trahs-sen-DEN-syahtɾasθenˈdenθja

nounB2general
Use 'trascendencia' to highlight the lasting impact or future consequences of a decision or event.
A single large, heavy golden key sitting on a pedestal, casting a long shadow.

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.

resonancia

reh-so-NAN-syahresoˈnanθja

nounC1general
Use 'resonancia' when the significance refers to a strong impact, echo, or widespread effect, especially in public discourse or media.
A single pebble falling into a calm pond creating many expanding circles.

Examples

Sus palabras tuvieron una gran resonancia en la prensa internacional.

His words had a great impact in the international press.

La noticia tuvo poca resonancia entre los ciudadanos.

The news had little significance among the citizens.

significación

nounC1formal
Use 'significación' to refer to the specific meaning, importance, or weight attached to something, often in a more formal or technical context.

Examples

Este descubrimiento tiene una gran significación para la medicina.

This discovery has great significance for medicine.

Importancia vs. Significado

Learners often confuse 'importancia' and 'significado'. Use 'importancia' for general weight or consequence, and 'significado' when you mean the specific meaning or historical relevance, especially of events.

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