Inklingo

How to Say "to mean" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to mean” is “significar” — use 'significar' when you want to ask or state what a word, phrase, symbol, or concept represents or symbolizes..

English → Spanish

significar

sig-ni-fi-CAR/siɣ.ni.fiˈkaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'significar' when you want to ask or state what a word, phrase, symbol, or concept represents or symbolizes.
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 'efímero'?

What does 'ephemeral' 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.)

suponer

/soo-poh-NEHR//su.poˈneɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'suponer' when one situation, action, or idea implies or entails another as a consequence or condition.
A person climbing a steep, winding mountain path to reach a small house at the top.

Examples

Este cambio supone una gran oportunidad.

This change means (entails/involves) a great opportunity.

Este proyecto supone un gran desafío para nosotros.

This project involves a great challenge for us.

Comprar una casa supone muchos gastos.

Buying a house entails many expenses.

Abstract Subjects

In this meaning, the 'thing' doing the action is often an idea or a situation (like 'the move' or 'the job'), not a person.

Significar vs. Suponer

Learners often confuse 'significar' and 'suponer' by using 'significar' when they mean 'to imply' or 'to involve.' Remember that 'significar' is for definitions and representations, while 'suponer' deals with consequences and implications.

Related Translations

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