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"Significa" is a form of "significar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to mean". "Qué" is a form of "qué", a pronoun which is often translated as "what". Learn more about the difference between "significa" and "qué" below.
significar(
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kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to denote)
a. to mean
He oído esa palabra miles de veces pero aún no me acuerdo de qué significa.I've heard that word thousands of times but I still can't remember what it means.
b. to signify
Este cambio de síntomas del paciente significa que el tratamiento está funcionando.This change in the patient's symptoms signifies that the treatment is working.
a. to mean
Si las luces están apagadas, significa que la panadería está cerrada.If the lights are switched off, it means that the bakery is closed.
3. (to convey)
a. to express
Llamó anoche para significar sus sentimientos a su ex novio.She called last night to express her feelings to her ex boyfriend.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to mean
Tu papel en mi vida siempre ha significado mucho para mí.Your role in my life has always meant a lot to me.
significarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to distinguish oneself
Se ha significado como experto en el campo de la psicología.He's distinguished himself as an expert in the field of psychology.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to declare onself
Se significó en apoyo de los trabajadores que estaban de huelga.She declared herself in support for the workers who were on strike.
qué(
keh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. what
¿Sabías que Tina y Héctor se dejaron? - ¡Qué va!Did you know that Tina and Hector broke up? - Wait, what!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
