eso significa
/eso siɡnifika/from spelling rules
The English phrase "that means" is translated into Spanish as eso significa.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of eso, meaning "that" and significa, which is the third-person singular form of the verb significar, meaning "to mean" or "to signify".
Which one should you use?
While eso significa is used for abstract concepts or logical consequences, you may also encounter the very common idiomatic alternative eso quiere decir, which is used to express "that is to say" or "that implies".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use eso significa to introduce a clause, such as "That means that it is late", you should follow the phrase with the conjunction que.
How do you pronounce it?
/eso siɡnifika/
Did you know?
- Spanish learners are often surprised that significar is almost never used in the first person to say 'I mean'. Instead, speakers use quiero decir, because using significo would sound as if you are defining your own existence as a symbol.
- In mathematical or logical contexts, Spanish speakers often omit eso significa and use the word o sea instead. While it literally means 'or it is', it functions as a universal filler for 'meaning' or 'in other words'.
- While eso significa focuses on a definition, the alternative eso quiere decir literally translates to 'that wants to say'. This reflects a common Spanish pattern of using the verb querer to express intention or purpose rather than just desire.
Examples in context
- Yo sé lo que eso significa.I know what that means.This sentence demonstrates how to use eso significa to state what you know.Tatoeba #4398470 by pchamorro, translation #3822493 by CK
- ¿Sabes lo que eso significa?Do you know what that means?This sentence uses eso significa to ask a question about a meaning.Tatoeba #2113030 by marcelostockle, translation #1839454 by CK
- Te diré lo que eso significa.I'll tell you what that means.This sentence uses eso significa to express an intention to explain a meaning.Tatoeba #7974156 by Seael, translation #6899055 by CK
- Estudiar todas las noches significa que obtendrás mejores resultados.Studying every night means you will get better results.
- El aumento de impuestos implica una reducción de la demanda.The increase in taxes implies a reduction in demand.
- El término "sostenibilidad" quiere decir asegurar la conservación del medio ambiente.The term "sustainability" means ensuring environmental conservation.
- No puedes ir a la fiesta, o sea, estás castigado.You can't go to the party, that means you're grounded.
- No se puede acceder al edificio después de las 7, en otras palabras, está cerrado.You cannot access the building after 7, in other words, it's closed.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a confusing text message.
- Lucía¿Qué dice el mensaje?What does the message say?
- AlejandroDice que llegará tarde.It says he will arrive late.
- Lucía¿Eso significa que comeremos después?Does that mean we will eat later?
- AlejandroSí, eso significa que debemos esperar.Yes, that means we must wait.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
