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QUICK ANSWER
"Qué significa" is a form of "qué significa", a phrase which is often translated as "what it means". "¿Qué quieres?" is a phrase which is often translated as "What do you want?". Learn more about the difference between "qué significa" and "¿Qué quieres?" below.
qué significa(
keh
seeg
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nee
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fee
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kah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. what it means
¿Conoces esta palabra? - Sí, pero no sé qué significa en este contexto.Do you know this word? - Yes, but I don't know what it means in this context.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No sé qué significa "carpe diem". - Significa "vive el momento".I don't know what "carpe diem" means. - It means "seize the day."
Cuando no sabemos qué significa una palabra, le preguntamos al profesor.When we don't know what a word means, we ask the teacher.
a. what does it mean
Esa palabra no significa lo que dices tú. - ¿Qué significa entonces?That word doesn't mean what you say. - What does it mean then?
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Me puedes ayudar con este texto? ¿Qué significa esta frase?Can you help me with this text? What does this sentence mean?
¿Qué significa "ich"? - Es "yo" en alemán.What does "ich" mean? - It's the German for "I."
a. what it means
Como no has trabajado nunca, no sabes qué significa.Since you've never worked, you don't know what it means.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Si de verdad supiera qué significa amar a alguien, no me trataría como me trata.If he really knew what loving someone means, he wouldn't treat me the way he does.
Como hizo tanto dinero y tan rápido, no recuerda qué significa no tenerlo.Since she made so much money and so fast, she's forgotten what not having it means.
a. what does it mean
Hablas siempre de tu familia de forma muy objetiva, pero ¿qué significa de verdad para ti?You always talk about your family in a very objective way, but what does it really mean for you?
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Qué significa para usted no poder volver a su país natal?What does not being able to go back to your home country mean for you?
¿Qué significa para ustedes su práctica religiosa? ¿Cómo afecta su vida diaria?What does your religious practice mean for you? How does it affect your daily life?
¿Qué quieres?(
keh
kyeh
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rehs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (informal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. What do you want?
¿Qué quieres? ¿No ves que estoy ocupado?What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?
