vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Importa" is a form of "importar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to matter". "Me" is a pronoun which is often translated as "me". Learn more about the difference between "me" and "importa" below.
me(
meh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
b. to me
Mariela me confesó que está enamorada de Luis.Mariela confessed to me that she's in love with Luis.
c. for me
Ya que estás aquí, podrías cambiarme la bombilla.Since you're here, you could change the bulb for me.
d. from me
Fueron ellos quienes me compraron la casa, pero ya la han vendido otra vez.They were the ones who bought my house from me, but they've already sold it again.
e. off me
Mi hermano me quitó la barra de chocolate y se la comió.My brother took the chocolate bar off me and ate it.
f. my (with clothes or parts of the body)
Me quebré el dedo jugando al baloncesto.I broke my finger playing basketball.
Voy a quitarme la chaqueta porque tengo mucho calor.I'm going to take off my jacket because I'm really hot.
3. (reflexive)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Hoy me levanté muy tarde.I got up very late today.
Me duché y me vestí lo más rápido que pude.I showered and got dressed as fast as I could.
4. (pronominal)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me fui temprano porque estaba cansado.I left early because I was tired.
No me quedaré tranquila hasta que no llamen para decir que han llegado.I won't relax until they call to say they've arrived.
5. (colloquial) (used for emphasis)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡No te me mueras! La ambulancia ya llega.Don't you die on me! The ambulance will be here soon.
La película era larguísima, pero me la vi entera.It was a very long movie, but I saw it to the end.
importar(
eem
-
pohrr
-
tahrr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to be important
El costo no importa; pagaré lo que sea necesario para salvar a mi hijo.The cost isn't important; I'll pay whatever is necessary to save my son.
a. to care
Parece que ni te importa saber lo que opino.It looks like you don't even care what I think.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).