significar

to mean

significar(seeg-nee-fee-kahr)

transitive verb

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.

2. (to represent)

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.

intransitive verb

4. (to be important)

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

reflexive verb

5. (to make oneself known)

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.

pronominal verb

6. (to take sides)

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.

significar

transitive verb

1. (querer decir)

a. to mean

la luz roja significa que está en funcionamientothe red light means (that) it's working

2. (suponer, causar)

a. to mean

eso significaría una subida de los preciosthat would mean a price rise

3. (expresar)

a. to express

intransitive verb

4. (tener importancia)

a.

no significa nada para míit means nothing to me

pronominal verb

5. (general)

a.

significarse porto become known for

se significó como pacifistahe showed himself to be a pacifist

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

significar

transitive verb

1 (querer decir) [+palabra] to mean; [+suceso] to mean; signify

¿qué significa "freelance"? what does "freelance" mean?

2 (representar)

50 dólares significan muy poco para él 50 dollars doesn't mean much to him; él no significa nada para mí he means nothing to me; significará la ruina de la empresa it will mean the end for the company; él no significa gran cosa en estos asuntos he doesn't count for much in these matters

3 (expresar) to make known; express;a to

le significó la condolencia de la familia he expressed o conveyed the family's sympathy

pronominal verb

significarse

1 (distinguirse) to become known; distinguish o.s.;como as

2 (tomar partido) to declare o.s.; take sides

no significarse to refuse to take sides