Inklingo

How to Say "to denote" in Spanish

English → Spanish

significar

sig-ni-fi-CARsiɣ.ni.fiˈkaɾ

verbA1formal
Use 'significar' when asking about the general meaning or definition of a word or phrase, often in everyday conversation.
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 palabra?

What does this word 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.)

designar

deh-seen-yardesiɣˈnaɾ

verbB2
Use 'designar' when a word, sign, or symbol is officially or conventionally used to represent or identify something specific, like a label or a marker.
A hand with an extended index finger pointing clearly at a specific red map marker on a table.

Examples

Las flechas designan la ruta a seguir.

The arrows indicate the route to follow.

Las líneas rojas designan las zonas de peligro.

The red lines identify the danger zones.

El gobierno designó fondos para la educación.

The government earmarked funds for education.

Esta palabra se usa para designar un tipo de planta.

This word is used to denote a type of plant.

Used with inanimate objects

Unlike the first meaning (appointing people), when identifying things or places, you do NOT use the 'personal a'.

Overusing Designar

Mistake: “Designa la sal, por favor.”

Correction: Use 'pásame' or 'señala'. 'Designar' is too formal for everyday objects at the dinner table.

expresar

eks-preh-SAHReks.pɾeˈsaɾ

verbB2formal
Use 'expresar' when a symbol or notation is used in a formal system like mathematics or science to represent a concept or quantity.
A colorful illustration of a perfectly balanced golden scale resting on a simple pedestal, symbolizing the representation of justice.

Examples

En física, 'c' expresa la velocidad de la luz.

In physics, 'c' represents the speed of light.

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.

Choosing Between Significat and Designar

Learners often confuse 'significar' and 'designar'. Remember that 'significar' is for the general meaning of words ('What does X mean?'), while 'designar' is for specific labels or markers that point to something ('The sign indicates danger').

Related Translations

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