Inklingo

How to Say "significant" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “significant” is “importante” — use this for general importance or when something has great consequence, often expressing a moral or practical necessity.

importante🔊A1

Use this for general importance or when something has great consequence, often expressing a moral or practical necessity.

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significativo🔊B1

Use this to describe a noticeable size, amount, or degree of importance that stands out.

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considerable🔊B1

Use this when referring to an amount or impact that is large enough to be taken into account.

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relevante🔊B1

Choose this when something has a direct bearing or major impact on a particular situation or topic.

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notable🔊B1

Use this to highlight a change, improvement, or characteristic that is easily noticed or remarkable.

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sustancial🔊B1

Employ this when referring to something of great importance, weight, or substance, often implying a fundamental change.

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sensible🔊B2

Use this to describe an effect or change that is clear, easily perceived, or measurable.

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razonable🔊B2

Use this when talking about an effort or amount that is fair, moderate, and justifiable given the circumstances.

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English → Spanish

importante

eem-por-TAHN-tehimpoɾˈtante

adjectiveA1general
Use this for general importance or when something has great consequence, often expressing a moral or practical necessity.
A massive, antique golden key resting prominently on a tall, sturdy stone pedestal, emphasizing its significance and value.

Examples

Es muy importante estudiar para el futuro.

It is very important to study for the future.

Es muy importante estudiar.

It's very important to study.

Tengo una reunión importante mañana.

I have an important meeting tomorrow.

Él es una figura importante en la política local.

He is an important figure in local politics.

Same for Everyone

Importante ends in '-e', which is great news! It means you use the same form for both masculine and feminine things. For example: 'el libro importante' (the important book) and 'la casa importante' (the important house).

Placement is Key

Usually, importante comes after the thing it describes, just like in English. For example, 'una reunión importante' (an important meeting). Placing it before ('una importante reunión') adds a bit of emphasis or a more formal tone.

Your Go-To Verb: 'ser'

To say something is important, you'll almost always use the verb 'ser'. For example, 'Ser honesto es importante' (Being honest is important).

The 'Es importante que...' Rule

Mistake: “Es importante que tú estudias mucho.”

Correction: Es importante que tú estudies mucho. When you say it's important for *someone else* to do something, the verb that follows needs a special ending. This is a huge pattern in Spanish!

significativo

seeg-nee-fee-kah-TEE-bohsiɣnifikaˈtiβo

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe a noticeable size, amount, or degree of importance that stands out.
A giant, bright red apple sitting next to a tiny green grape to show a significant difference in size.

Examples

Hubo un aumento significativo en las ventas este mes.

There was a significant increase in sales this month.

Recibir esa carta fue muy significativo para mi abuela.

Receiving that letter was very meaningful for my grandmother.

Ella me lanzó una mirada significativa y entendí que debíamos irnos.

She gave me a telling look and I understood we had to leave.

Matching the Ending

Since this is a word that describes things, the ending must change to match the item. Use 'significativo' for masculine items (un cambio) and 'significativa' for feminine items (una mejora).

Natural Sentence Order

In Spanish, you usually place 'significativo' after the thing you are describing. For example: 'un progreso significativo' sounds more natural than putting it before.

Confusing with 'Significante'

Mistake: “Ese es un cambio significante.”

Correction: Ese es un cambio significativo. 'Significante' is a very technical term used in linguistics; for 'important' or 'large,' always use 'significativo'.

considerable

kon-see-deh-rah-blehkonsideˈɾaβle

adjectiveB1general
Use this when referring to an amount or impact that is large enough to be taken into account.
A tiny mouse standing next to a very large wedge of cheese that is many times its size.

Examples

Tengo una cantidad considerable de tarea hoy.

I have a considerable amount of homework today.

El retraso en el aeropuerto fue considerable.

The delay at the airport was significant.

La empresa invirtió una suma considerable de dinero.

The company invested a sizeable sum of money.

One Form for All

In Spanish, this word is gender-neutral. Because it ends in 'e,' you don't need to change the ending for masculine or feminine nouns. It is always 'considerable' for one thing and 'considerables' for many.

Where to Put It

While you can put this word before or after the noun, placing it after the noun (e.g., 'un retraso considerable') is the most natural way to emphasize the size or impact.

Using it for 'Thoughtful'

Mistake: “Using 'considerable' to describe a person who is kind or thoughtful.”

Correction: Use 'considerado' for a thoughtful person. 'Considerable' only describes things that are large or important.

relevante

reh-leh-BAHN-tehreleˈβante

adjectiveB1general
Choose this when something has a direct bearing or major impact on a particular situation or topic.
A single puzzle piece that fits perfectly into a larger puzzle, highlighted in a bright color.

Examples

Tu opinión es muy relevante para este proyecto.

Your opinion is very relevant to this project.

No encontré ninguna información relevante en el informe.

I didn't find any relevant information in the report.

Es un cambio pequeño, pero relevante.

It's a small but significant change.

One ending for all

This word is the same whether you are talking about a man, a woman, a masculine object, or a feminine object. It always ends in -e.

Mistaking with 'Importante'

Mistake: “Using 'importante' when you specifically mean 'connected to the topic.'”

Correction: While 'importante' works for general importance, use 'relevante' to show that something specifically applies to the current situation or discussion.

notable

noh-TAH-blehnoˈtaβle

adjectiveB1general
Use this to highlight a change, improvement, or characteristic that is easily noticed or remarkable.
A single bright yellow sunflower standing much taller than a field of small white daisies.

Examples

Hubo una mejoría notable en sus notas este trimestre.

There was a remarkable improvement in his grades this term.

La diferencia de precio es notable.

The difference in price is noticeable.

One Form for All

This word ends in -e, which means it stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine person or thing. You say 'un cambio notable' and 'una mejoría notable'.

sustancial

soos-tahn-SYALsustanˈsjal

adjectiveB1general
Employ this when referring to something of great importance, weight, or substance, often implying a fundamental change.
A large, tall stack of gold coins sitting on a wooden table.

Examples

Hubo un cambio sustancial en los resultados del examen.

There was a substantial change in the exam results.

Recibió una mejora sustancial en su salario este mes.

He received a significant improvement in his salary this month.

No hay una diferencia sustancial entre estas dos opciones.

There is no substantial difference between these two options.

One form for both genders

Adjectives ending in '-l' like 'sustancial' don't change for masculine or feminine nouns. You can say 'un cambio sustancial' (masculine) or 'una mejora sustancial' (feminine).

Placement for emphasis

While it usually comes after the noun, putting it before (un sustancial cambio) makes it sound more poetic or formal.

Confusing with 'sustancioso'

Mistake: “Comí una cena muy sustancial.”

Correction: Comí una cena muy sustancioso.

sensible

sen-SEE-blehsenˈsible

adjectiveB2general
Use this to describe an effect or change that is clear, easily perceived, or measurable.
A field of uniform green grass with one distinct, large patch of bright purple flowers that stands out clearly, representing a noticeable difference.

Examples

La empresa experimentó un aumento sensible en sus ventas después de la campaña.

The company experienced a noticeable increase in its sales after the campaign.

Hubo una mejora sensible en la calidad del sonido.

There was a significant improvement in sound quality.

Describing Data

This meaning is often used when discussing statistics, data, or technical results, emphasizing that the change is large enough to matter or be easily perceived.

razonable

rah-thoh-NAH-bleh (Spain) / rah-soh-NAH-bleh (L. Am.)raθoˈnaβle

adjectiveB2general
Use this when talking about an effort or amount that is fair, moderate, and justifiable given the circumstances.
A small, open wooden treasure chest overflowing with a massive, impressive mound of bright gold coins, representing a considerable quantity.

Examples

El proyecto requirió un esfuerzo razonable de todo el equipo.

The project required a considerable effort from the entire team.

Hemos visto un avance razonable en las negociaciones.

We have seen moderate/significant progress in the negotiations.

Quantifier

In this meaning, 'razonable' acts like a quantifier, emphasizing that the amount or degree was sufficient or impressive, not just 'sensible'.

General vs. Specific Significance

Learners often use 'importante' for all meanings of 'significant'. Remember that while 'importante' covers general importance, words like 'significativo', 'considerable', and 'notable' are better for describing quantifiable or observable amounts and changes.

Related Translations

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