significativo
/siɡnifikaˈtibo/
The Spanish word for major (greater in significance or importance) is significativo. It is also spelled groso. Wiktionary also lists grosso.
Meaning: greater in significance or importance (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| significativo | /siɡnifikaˈtibo/ | |
| groso | /ˈɡɾoso/ | alternative form |
| grosso | /ˈɡɾosso/ | Latin America |
When describing something that is greater in significance or importance, use significativo. If you are referring to an academic major, you can use the formal terms carrera, Especialidad or Titulación. To express the idea of majoring in a subject, use the verb estudiar (to study).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American regions, particularly the Southern Cone, the colloquial term groso (an alternative spelling of grosso) is used to describe someone or something that is major, great or highly skilled.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡnifikaˈtibo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use mayor to mean a major in the sense of being significant. In Spanish, mayor typically refers to age (older) or is used as a noun for a military rank.
Did you know?
- To describe a 'major' problem, Spanish speakers often avoid significativo and instead use grave, which literally means 'grave' or 'serious'.
- The word grosso is actually a loanword from Italian, rather than being an indigenous Spanish term.
- While groso means 'great' or 'major' in the Southern Cone, the word grosso in other Spanish-speaking regions often refers to the 'bulk' or 'thickest part' of an object.
Examples in context
- Estudio una carrera en biología.I'm majoring in biology.
- Mi especialidad es ingeniería civil.My major is civil engineering.
- Me estoy metiendo en una carrera de economía.I'm getting into an economics major.
- Está estudiando una carrera universitaria en psicología.He/She is studying a university major in psychology.
- Mi hermano está haciendo una especialización en informática.My brother is specializing in computer science.
- Estudio arquitecturaI'm majoring in architecture
- Voy a estudiar en la universidad una carrera en medicinaI'm going to study a major in medicine at the university
- ¿Qué carrera estás estudiando?What major are you studying?
- Estoy cursando una carrera en literatura.I'm majoring in literature.
- ¿Cuál es tu especialidad?What is your major?
- Mi especialidad es arquitectura de interiores.My major is interior architecture.
- Voy a estudiar una carrera en ingeniería mecánica.I'm going to study mechanical engineering as my major.
- Este es un cambio significativo para nosotros.This is a significant change for us.
- Hubo un error significativo en el reporte.There was a significant error in the report.
- Es un problema significativo para la empresa.It is a significant problem for the company.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a project at work.
- LucíaMateo, ¿viste los resultados del mes?Mateo, did you see this month's results?
- MateoSí, hay un aumento significativo en las ventas.Yes, there is a major increase in sales.
- LucíaEs una noticia excelente para el equipo.That is excellent news for the team.
- MateoDefinitivamente, Lucía. Estamos haciendo un gran trabajo.Definitely, Lucía. We are doing a great job.
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.
