Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| significado | /siɡnifiˈkado/ | masculine |
| acepción | /aθebˈθjon/ /asebˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| sentido | /senˈtido/ | masculine |
| significación | /siɡnifikaˈθjon/ /siɡnifikaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
The word used depends on whether you are discussing a literal definition, the logic of a situation or a specific dictionary entry. Use significado for the literal definition of a word or symbol, and sentido when referring to the sense, logic or direction of something. The phrase sin sentido is used to describe something that is nonsensical, irrational or lacks logic.
Which one should you use?
Significado is the most common way to refer to a literal definition. Sentido is used for the 'sense' or 'logic' of something, such as a sentence or life. In contrast, acepción is a formal term used specifically when referring to one of the multiple distinct meanings a single word can have in a dictionary.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun significado becomes significados in the plural. The feminine noun acepción becomes acepciones in the plural. The masculine noun sentido becomes sentidos in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡnifiˈkado/
Did you know?
- While significado refers to the definition, sentido also refers to the five physical senses. Because of this, a phrase like perder el sentido can mean either 'to lose the meaning' or 'to faint'.
- In Spanish, you can use sentido to describe the physical direction of a street. If a street is de sentido único, it means it is a one-way street, blending the idea of 'meaning' with 'direction'.
- When Spanish speakers describe a person as sin sentido, they are not just saying the person is irrational. It can also be a polite way to describe someone who is tactless or lacks a sense of propriety.
Examples in context
- No capto el sentido de todo esto.I don't get the meaning of all of this.This sentence shows how to express not understanding the logic or meaning of a situation using sentido.Tatoeba #1165785 by marcelostockle, translation #1142865 by CM
- Tom olvidó el sentido de la vida.Tom forgot the meaning of life.This sentence uses sentido to refer to the meaning or purpose of life.Tatoeba #1691652 by marcelostockle, translation #9165290 by DJ_Saidez
- Él habla sin sentido ni cohesión.He speaks without meaning or cohesion.This sentence uses sentido to describe speech that lacks logic or cohesion.Tatoeba #2944732 by marcelostockle, translation #9044587 by shekitten
- El significado de esa palabra es muy profundo.The meaning of that word is very profound.
- No entiendo el sentido de su discurso.I don't understand the meaning of his speech.
- El diccionario ofrece múltiples acepciones de esa palabra.The dictionary provides multiple meanings for that word.
- No entiendo el significado de esto.I don't understand the meaning of this.
- ¿Cuál es el sentido de esa expresión?What is the meaning of that expression?
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a book in a café.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿conoces el significado de esta palabra?Daniel, do you know the meaning of this word?
- DanielNo, no entiendo su significado.No, I don't understand its meaning.
- SofíaEs un término muy complejo.It is a very complex term.
- DanielTienes razón, buscaré el significado ahora.You're right, I'll look up the meaning now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meaning” translations and entries significado, acepción, sentido, significación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
