Significant others in spanish?

Question

Hello all,

I know that the common translation for this is media naranja, pareja,conviviente etc, But does anyone know if this could ever mean close relative, beloved or something different that does not necessarily connote a relationship (lovers, sexually involved)?

Here's some context:

I will allow my doctors to disscus my treatment plan with "significant others" to include , bu tnot to be limited to concerned family members.

Answer 1

Nope, "significant other" always refers to a persons partner.

You were asking about the English phrase, right?

right, but my question comes up because the document uses the plural form "sinificant others" - Myneg, Mar 13, 2011

Context? - rabbitwho, Mar 13, 2011

if context given is not enough...it's a legal doc..where you give (or not) a hospital permission to discuss your tret-plan with fam-members and "significant others" - Myneg, Mar 13, 2011

I meant gramatical context! Was it in a sentace etc. But anyway the phrase only has one meaning, don't worry. - rabbitwho, Mar 13, 2011

Thanks for your input...still, if you google it in the plural form you get over 11,000 results...seems it has 2 meanings...just wish I'd find the proper translation in Spanish.. - Myneg, Mar 13, 2011

It does not have two meanings. Of course you get many resuls for the plural because many people have significant others! All the people I know have significant others! It was probably gramatical context that brought about the plural form. - rabbitwho, Mar 14, 2011

rabbitwho is incorrect. significant other is VERY commonly used in medical/legal documents to refer to any person of significant importance to the patient/client, not limited to a romantic partner. MaritaPeralta's answer "persona allegada" is good. - bethivy, Sep 25, 2012

Answer 2

Buscando la mejor traducción para la frase "significant others", encontré "personas allegadas"

En el texto que estoy traduciendo el original dice: The pressures which may “get to” Catalysts and which may render them ineffective are likely to stem from their belief system which states that it is absolutely necessary for every person in the organization they manage to approve of and love them. This is especially true of “significant others.”

La forma en que lo traduje es: Las presiones que pueden “afectar” a los catalizadores y hacer que se vuelvan inefectivos tienden a provenir de su sistema de creencias, el cual dicta que es absolutamente necesario que todas las personas, que forman parte de la organización que ellos dirigen, los aprueben y los quieran. Esto cobra especial relevancia cuando se trata de “personas allegadas”.

Espero les sirva, Saludos

very useful. thank you! - bethivy, Sep 25, 2012