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"Mean" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "significar", and "define" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "definir". Learn more about the difference between "mean" and "define" below.
mean(
min
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to signify)
a. querer decir
What did you mean when you said you didn't think this was working?¿Qué quisiste decir cuando dijiste que esto no está funcionando?
3. (to imply)
a. referirse
When I said I didn't want to talk to anybody, I didn't mean you.Cuando dije que no quería hablar con nadie, no me refería a ti.
4. (to intend)
a. tener la intención de
I didn't mean to say the things that I said. I'm sorry.No tuve la intención de decir lo que dije. Lo siento.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I can't imagine life without you. You mean the world to me.No me imagino vivir sin ti. Lo eres todo para mí.
Money doesn't mean anything to Rose. She'd rather have love.El dinero no es importante para Rose. Preferiría el amor.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
7. (nasty)
8. (miserly)
9. (average)
a. medio
Find the mean number of girls born in families with six children.Encuentra el número medio de niñas nacidas en familias con seis hijos.
10. (colloquial) (excellent) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. increíble
I can make you a mean lemonade if you hang on a sec.Te puedo preparar una limonada increíble si me esperas tantito.
means
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
11. (method)
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
12. (reasons)
a. los medios (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The means are justified if we consider all options.Los medios están justificados si consideramos todas las opciones.
13. (wealth)
a. los recursos (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The thief lacks the means to pay a good lawyer.El ladrón no tiene los recursos para pagar un buen abogado.
b. los medios (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Not everyone has the means to pursue higher education.No todo el mundo tiene los medios para proseguir los estudios superiores.
define(
dih
-
fayn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. definir
It is essential to carefully define the terms used in a legal contract.Es esencial definir claramente los términos usados en un contrato legal.
2. (to delimit)
a. delimitar
The river and the highway define the borders of the park.El río y la autopista delimitan los límites del parque.
a. caracterizar
It's hard to define the music my band plays; it's a little bit country and a little bit rock-and-roll.Es difícil caracterizar la música que toca mi banda; es un poco country y un poco rock.
b. distinguir
She is defined by her long braids and manner of speaking.Se distingue por sus trenzas largas y manera de hablar.
c. definir
Tony is heavily involved in community projects and doesn't feel the need to be defined by his job.Tony se dedica mucho a proyectos comunitarios y no le hace falta ser definido por su empleo.
4. (to outline)
a. destacar
The shape of the werewolf was clearly defined by the light of the moon.La forma del hombre lobo estaba claramente destacada por la luz de la luna.
