insignificancia
/insiɡnifikanθja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "small beer" can be translated into Spanish as insignificancia.
insignificancia is used to refer to something of little importance.
Meaning: something of little importance (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/insiɡnifikanθja/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, the phrase no es para echar cohetes is used instead of insignificancia to describe an achievement that is 'small beer'.
- The word insignificancia is closely related to the Spanish word insignificante, which can be used as a cruel adjective to describe a person's character rather than just the size of an object.
- The word insignificancia shares a root with signo, meaning 'sign'. To call something an insignificancia is literally to say it lacks a sign or a mark of importance.
Examples in context
- ¿Me podría traer una cerveza pequeña, por favor?Could you bring me a small beer, please?
- ¿Me das una cerveza chica, por favor?Can you give me a small beer, please?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a small mistake at work.
- AlejandroCometí un error en el informe, Elena.I made a mistake in the report, Elena.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, es una insignificancia.Don't worry, Alejandro, it's a small beer.
- Alejandro¿De verdad no es un problema grave?Is it really not a serious problem?
- ElenaNo, el jefe ni siquiera lo notará.No, the boss won't even notice it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
