Inklingo

How to Say "they denote" in Spanish

English → Spanish

significan

sig-nee-FEE-kahn/siɡnifiˈkan/

verbA2formal writing
Use 'significan' when you want to express the general meaning of something, especially when trying to understand or explain what a word, sign, or symbol represents.
A red heart shape floating next to a smiling cartoon child hugging a soft brown teddy bear, illustrating that symbols have explicit meanings.

Examples

No entiendo qué significan estas señales de tráfico.

I don't understand what these traffic signs mean.

Los colores de la bandera significan paz y prosperidad.

The colors of the flag mean peace and prosperity.

Ustedes significan mucho para mí, gracias por venir.

You (all) mean a lot to me, thank you for coming.

The CAR-GAR-ZAR Rule

Even though 'significar' is regular, it has a spelling change to keep the hard 'k' sound. When the ending starts with 'e' (like in the past tense 'yo' or the whole subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu': yo signifiqué.

Forgetting the 'n'

Mistake: “Misusing 'significa' when referring to plural subjects (Las palabras significa).”

Correction: Always match the verb to the plural subject: 'Las palabras significan'. The 'n' tells you 'they' are doing the action.

indican

een-DEE-kahn/inˈdikan/

verbB2formal written context
Use 'indican' when something points to or suggests a particular conclusion, condition, or outcome, often in a more formal or technical context.
A boy and a girl standing next to a partially built wooden birdhouse. The boy holds up a single hammer and smiles knowingly at the girl.

Examples

Los síntomas indican un resfriado fuerte.

The symptoms suggest a severe cold.

Todos los estudios indican que el cambio climático es real.

All the studies indicate that climate change is real.

Use with Abstract Subjects

This meaning often uses abstract subjects like 'data,' 'results,' or 'signs' rather than people. (Example: 'Los datos indican...')

Meaning vs. Suggesting

Learners often confuse 'significan' and 'indican' by using 'significan' when something is merely suggesting an outcome rather than stating its direct meaning. Remember, 'significan' is about 'meaning', while 'indican' is about 'indicating' or 'suggesting'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.