Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| significativo | /siɡnifikaˈtibo/ | |
| groso | /ˈɡɾoso/ | alternative form |
| grosso | /ˈɡɾosso/ | Latin America |
The term significativo is used to describe something that is greater in significance or importance.
Which one should you use?
While significativo refers to something major in terms of importance, the word mayor is used when 'major' refers to a military rank or when referring to someone of legal age, such as in the phrase mayor de edad.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Colombia, Licenciatura is used to refer to a major. In Spain, especialidad is used to describe a major, particularly in professional fields like medicine or law. In certain Latin American contexts, particularly in the Southern Cone, the colloquial term groso (or the alternative spelling grosso) is used to describe someone who is 'major' in terms of talent or importance, meaning a 'great' person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective significativo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use significativa for feminine nouns, significativos for masculine plural nouns and significativas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡnifikaˈtibo/
Did you know?
- While groso describes a 'major' talent in the Southern Cone, it is a loanword from Italian. In Italian, grosso literally means 'thick' or 'fat'.
- While groso is a high compliment for a 'major' talent in Argentina and Uruguay, people in other Spanish-speaking countries might think you are commenting on their physical thickness.
- Unlike English, where 'major' is a noun for a college subject, Spanish uses licenciatura in Mexico and Colombia to describe the entire degree program and the major combined.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría estudiar una carrera universitaria en psicología.I would like to major in psychology.
- Mi especialización es ingeniería civil.My major is civil engineering.
- Estoy estudiando una carrera en medicina.I'm majoring in medicine.
- Mis materias principales son historia y economía.My major subjects are history and economics.
- Mi licenciatura es en administración de empresas.My major is in business administration.
- Estoy estudiando la especialidad de derecho.I'm majoring in law.
- Es un cambio significativo para la empresa.It is a significant change for the company.
- Tuvimos un problema significativo con el motor.We had a significant problem with the engine.
- El impacto fue muy significativo en la comunidad.The impact was very significant in the community.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a recent project at work.
- Lucía¿Fue un avance significativo el proyecto de Javier?Was Javier's project a significant breakthrough?
- JavierSí, fue un éxito muy significativo.Yes, it was a very significant success.
- LucíaMe alegra que él lograra algo tan importante.I am glad he achieved something so important.
- JavierDefinitivamente, su trabajo fue muy valioso.Definitely, his work was very valuable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “major” translations and entries significativo, groso, grosso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grosso, significativo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
