Inklingo

How to Say "to denote" in Spanish

English → Spanish

significar

sig-ni-fi-CAR/siɣ.ni.fiˈkaɾ/

VerbA1Formal reference
Use 'significar' when you want to ask for or state the meaning of a word, phrase, or symbol in a general or formal way.
A bright red apple floating in the air, connected by a dashed line to a thought bubble containing a simple drawing of a smiling person holding a basket of fruit, representing what the apple means or symbolizes.

Examples

¿Qué significa esta señal de tráfico?

What does this traffic sign mean?

¿Qué significa esa palabra en español?

What does that word mean in Spanish?

Para mí, la amistad significa lealtad.

For me, friendship means loyalty.

El semáforo en rojo significa que debes parar.

The red light signifies that you must stop.

The -car Spelling Change

To keep the hard 'k' sound of the 'c' before the soft 'e' in the preterite 'yo' form and the entire present subjunctive, the 'c' changes to 'qu' (e.g., 'yo signifiqué,' 'que yo signifique').

Confusing 'Significar' and 'Ser'

Mistake: “'¿Qué es la amistad?' (Asking for a definition, which is okay, but less common)”

Correction: '¿Qué significa la amistad?' (Asking for the meaning or concept is much more natural and common in Spanish.)

expresar

eks-preh-SAHR/eks.pɾeˈsaɾ/

VerbB2Mathematics or logic
Use 'expresar' when a symbol, word, or gesture formally represents or conveys a concept, idea, or quantity, especially in technical fields like math or science.
A colorful illustration of a perfectly balanced golden scale resting on a simple pedestal, symbolizing the representation of justice.

Examples

La 'x' en esta ecuación expresa la incógnita a resolver.

The 'x' in this equation represents the unknown to be solved.

El símbolo 'E' expresa la energía en física.

The symbol 'E' represents energy in physics.

Esta danza expresa la historia de la comunidad.

This dance shows the history of the community.

Abstract Use

In this formal sense, the subject is often an inanimate object (a painting, a formula, a color) that performs the action of representing something else.

Significar vs. Expresar

Learners often confuse 'significar' and 'expresar' because both can relate to meaning. Remember that 'significar' is for general definitions or asking 'what does it mean?', while 'expresar' is for when something *represents* or *conveys* a specific concept, especially in formal or technical contexts.

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