A1 Expression Neutral

¿Qué significa...?

What does... mean?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential survival phrase used to ask for the definition or meaning of any Spanish word or expression.

  • Means: 'What does [word] mean?'
  • Used in: Classrooms, travel, and everyday conversations when you hear a new word.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use 'Cómo' (How); always use 'Qué' (What) for definitions.
❓ + 📖 = 💡 (Question + Word = Understanding)

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic question. Use it to ask for the meaning of a word you do not know. It is very important for beginners. You say '¿Qué significa...?' and then the word. For example: '¿Qué significa perro?'. It helps you learn new words every day.
At this level, you use the phrase to expand your vocabulary beyond simple nouns. You can ask about verbs or short expressions. Remember to use 'significan' if you are asking about more than one word. It is a key tool for surviving in a Spanish-speaking country when reading menus or signs.
Intermediate learners use this phrase to understand nuances and context. You might ask about the difference between two similar words. You also start using variations like '¿Qué quiere decir?' to understand the intention behind a speaker's words. It becomes a tool for clarifying complex instructions or social cues.
Upper-intermediate students use the phrase to explore abstract concepts and idiomatic expressions. You might ask about the cultural significance of a term or how a word's meaning changes in different Spanish-speaking regions. You are capable of understanding definitions given entirely in Spanish, making this phrase your primary method for monolingual learning.
At an advanced level, '¿Qué significa...?' is used for deep linguistic analysis. You might inquire about the etymological roots or the pragmatic implications of a specific register. You use it to challenge or confirm your understanding of sophisticated literary devices, legal terminology, or academic jargon, often comparing it with synonyms to find the exact 'matiz' (nuance).
For near-native mastery, the phrase serves as a gateway to cognitive linguistics and sociolinguistic variation. You use it to deconstruct the semiotics of a discourse or to explore how a phrase reflects underlying cultural paradigms. The inquiry shifts from 'what is the definition' to 'what does this signify within the broader socio-political or historical framework of the Hispanic world'.

Meaning

Used to ask for the meaning of a word or phrase.

🌍

Cultural Background

In Spain, people are very direct. If you don't understand something, just ask. It's common to hear '¿Qué significa?' followed by a quick, helpful explanation. Mexican Spanish is famous for its 'albur' (double meanings). You might find yourself asking '¿Qué significa?' often to understand the hidden jokes. Argentines use 'voseo' and many unique words (lunfardo). A learner might ask about words like 'che' or 'laburo'. The RAE (Real Academia Española) is the official body that decides what words 'signify'. Many people will refer to 'el diccionario' when you ask this question.

💡

The Pointing Trick

If you don't know the word for an object, point at it and say '¿Qué significa esto?'. It works every time!

⚠️

Don't forget the accent

Always write the accent on 'Qué'. It's a small detail that makes you look like a pro.

Meaning

Used to ask for the meaning of a word or phrase.

💡

The Pointing Trick

If you don't know the word for an object, point at it and say '¿Qué significa esto?'. It works every time!

⚠️

Don't forget the accent

Always write the accent on 'Qué'. It's a small detail that makes you look like a pro.

🎯

Ask for examples

After asking '¿Qué significa?', follow up with '¿Puedes darme un ejemplo?' to see the word in action.

💬

Regional Slang

Use this phrase to ask about regional slang. It's the best way to make local friends!

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'significar'.

¿Qué ________ 'bolígrafo'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: significa

'Bolígrafo' is a singular noun, so we use the singular form 'significa'.

Which question is correct to ask for the meaning of multiple words?

You want to know the meaning of 'los libros'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Qué significan 'los libros'?

Because 'los libros' is plural, the verb must be 'significan'.

Match the Spanish phrase with its English equivalent.

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all

These are all essential survival phrases for a beginner.

Complete the dialogue.

Estudiante: Perdón, ¿qué ________ 'manzana'? Profesora: Significa 'apple'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: significa

The context of asking for a definition requires 'significa'.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Significa vs. Cómo se dice

¿Qué significa?
Spanish -> English Asking for definition
¿Cómo se dice?
English -> Spanish Asking for translation

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it's only for words, symbols, or situations. To ask who someone is, use '¿Quién es...?'.

Always 'Qué' when asking for a definition. 'Cuál' is for choosing between options.

Not at all! Native speakers usually love helping people learn their language.

They are 99% interchangeable. 'Quiere decir' is slightly more common in spoken conversation.

Just say '¿Qué significa toda esta frase?'.

Usually no, because the 'word' is the subject. You only change it to 'significan' for plural words.

Yes! '¿Qué significó eso?' means 'What did that mean?'.

In very casual speech, you might just point and say '¿Qué es?'.

You say '¿Qué significa esto para mí?'.

It's just a stylistic choice. It literally means 'What does it want to say?', which is a common idiom in Romance languages.

Related Phrases

🔄

¿Qué quiere decir...?

synonym

What does it want to say?

🔗

¿Cómo se dice...?

contrast

How do you say...?

🔗

¿A qué se refiere...?

similar

What is it referring to?

🔗

¿Qué es...?

builds on

What is...?

Where to Use It

🍴

At a Restaurant

Learner: Perdón, ¿qué significa 'pisto'?

Camarero: Es un plato de verduras fritas, similar al ratatouille.

neutral
🏫

In a Spanish Class

Estudiante: Profesora, ¿qué significa 'tarea'?

Profesora: Significa 'homework', Juan.

neutral
📖

Reading a Book

Lector: ¿Qué significa 'bosque'?

Amigo: Es un lugar con muchos árboles.

neutral
🎬

Watching a Movie

Hijo: Papá, ¿qué significa esa palabra que dijo el actor?

Padre: Es una palabra un poco grosera, no la repitas.

informal
📱

Texting a Friend

User A: ¡Qué guay!

User B: ¿Qué significa 'guay'? Soy de Argentina.

User A: Significa 'cool' o 'lindo' en España.

informal
🏥

At the Doctor

Paciente: ¿Qué significa 'inflamación'?

Doctor: Significa que una parte de su cuerpo está roja e hinchada.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Significa' as 'Sign-if-I-can' — I can understand the sign if I ask this!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant glowing question mark hovering over a dictionary. Every time you say 'significa', the dictionary opens to the right page.

Rhyme

Si no sabes qué es, '¿Qué significa?' debes de leer.

Story

A traveler arrives in a town where everyone speaks in riddles. He only knows one phrase: '¿Qué significa?'. By asking it constantly, he eventually becomes the wisest person in the village because he learned the meaning of everything.

Word Web

significadosignificantesignoseñaldefinicióndiccionarioexplicaciónsentido

Challenge

Go to a Spanish news website (like El País or BBC Mundo). Find one word you don't know and say out loud: '¿Qué significa [word]?' then look it up.

In Other Languages

English high

What does ... mean?

English uses 'does', Spanish does not.

French high

Que signifie...?

French often uses the longer 'Qu'est-ce que' structure.

German high

Was bedeutet...?

German has a specific verb 'bedeuten' for meaning, similar to 'significar'.

Japanese low

... wa dō iu imi desu ka?

Japanese places the subject at the beginning and the question at the end.

Arabic moderate

Ma ma'na...?

Arabic uses a noun 'meaning' instead of a verb 'to mean'.

Chinese low

...shi shenme yisi?

Chinese does not use a specific verb for 'to mean'.

Korean low

...musun tteusieyo?

Korean is SOV and uses honorifics.

Portuguese high

O que significa...?

The addition of the article 'O'.

Easily Confused

¿Qué significa...? vs ¿Cómo se dice...?

Learners use 'significa' when they want a translation from English.

Use 'significa' for Spanish words you heard. Use 'cómo se dice' for English words you want to say in Spanish.

¿Qué significa...? vs ¿Qué significan...?

Forgetting to use the plural form for multiple words.

If there is an 's' at the end of the word you are asking about, add an 'n' to 'significa'.

FAQ (10)

No, it's only for words, symbols, or situations. To ask who someone is, use '¿Quién es...?'.

Always 'Qué' when asking for a definition. 'Cuál' is for choosing between options.

Not at all! Native speakers usually love helping people learn their language.

They are 99% interchangeable. 'Quiere decir' is slightly more common in spoken conversation.

Just say '¿Qué significa toda esta frase?'.

Usually no, because the 'word' is the subject. You only change it to 'significan' for plural words.

Yes! '¿Qué significó eso?' means 'What did that mean?'.

In very casual speech, you might just point and say '¿Qué es?'.

You say '¿Qué significa esto para mí?'.

It's just a stylistic choice. It literally means 'What does it want to say?', which is a common idiom in Romance languages.

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