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How to Say "to matter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

importar

/eem-por-tar//im.poɾˈtaɾ/

verbA1
Use 'importar' when asking if something is important to someone or if they have an objection.
A large, gentle hand carefully holding a small, shiny golden key, emphasizing the key's importance or value.

Examples

¿Te importa si cierro la ventana?

Does it matter to you if I close the window?

Su opinión no nos importa mucho.

His opinion doesn't matter much to us.

Lo que realmente importa es tu salud.

What really matters is your health.

Using 'Importar' like 'Gustar'

When using 'importar' to say something is important to someone, you must use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les). The thing that matters is the subject of the sentence, not the person.

Third Person Dominance

You will almost always hear 'importa' (if one thing matters) or 'importan' (if many things matter). The other conjugations are usually only used for the trade meaning.

Saying 'I care'

Mistake: “Yo importo (I import / I matter)”

Correction: Me importa (It matters to me / I care). Remember, the thing matters TO you, so you use 'me'.

contar

cohn-TAR/konˈtaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'contar' when emphasizing that something or someone is significant or reliable, often in the sense of 'counting on' someone.
A simple depiction of a small human figure leaning securely and trustingly against the back of a taller, stable human figure, symbolizing reliance and dependence.

Examples

Sabes que puedes contar conmigo para lo que necesites.

You know you can count on me for whatever you need.

En este negocio, la experiencia cuenta mucho.

In this business, experience matters a lot.

Si invitamos a Pedro, ¿contamos con que traiga su coche?

If we invite Pedro, are we counting on him to bring his car?

Using the Preposition CON

When 'contar' means 'to rely on' or 'to have available,' it is almost always followed immediately by the preposition 'con' (with).

Missing CON

Mistake: “Cuento tu ayuda (incorrect).”

Correction: Cuento con tu ayuda (correct - I rely on your help). The preposition 'con' is essential here.

significar

sig-ni-fi-CAR/siɣ.ni.fiˈkaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'significar' when referring to the consequence or implication of something, highlighting its importance or relevance.
A single, large, glowing golden star resting centrally on a small pedestal, surrounded by many smaller, dull gray stones scattered on the ground, symbolizing importance and relevance.

Examples

Su renuncia significa una gran pérdida para la empresa.

His resignation means a great loss for the company.

Este pequeño cambio en la ley no significa nada para el ciudadano común.

This small change in the law doesn't mean anything/doesn't matter to the average citizen.

Cada voto significa que la gente cree en el proceso.

Every vote signifies that people believe in the process.

Expressing Consequence

In this usage, 'significar' acts like 'to cause' or 'to result in.' The subject is the cause (the event) and the direct object is the consequence (the result).

Importar vs. Contar

Learners often confuse 'importar' and 'contar'. Remember that 'importar' is usually about personal importance or objection (like 'Does it matter *to you*?'), while 'contar' implies reliability or significance in a broader sense ('You can count on it').

Related Translations

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