Spanish · Greetings & Essentials
"What does this mean?" in Spanish: ¿Qué significa esto?
¿Qué significa esto?
What does this mean? in Spanish is ¿Qué significa esto? (keh sig-nee-FEE-kah ES-toh). Swap esto for a word: ¿Qué significa "ojalá"? Keep qué and significa.
Reading a menu
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How to pronounce ¿Qué significa esto?
Say it
keh sig-nee-FEE-kah ES-toh
/ke siɡniˈfika ˈesto/
keh sig-nee-FEE-kah ES-toh. Stress FEE on significa.
"What does this mean?" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué significa esto? | What does this mean? Pointing at a word or sign. | Pointing at a word or sign. |
| ¿Qué significa…? | What does … mean? Fill in any Spanish word. | Fill in any Spanish word. |
| ¿Qué quiere decir? | What does it mean / what do you mean? Common alternative. | Common alternative. |
| ¿Qué quiere decir esto? | What does this mean? Full alternate form. | Full alternate form. |
How to use ¿Qué significa esto? in real life
- 1Reading a menu
¿Qué significa esto en el menú?
What does this mean on the menu?
Qué significa for mystery dishes.
- 2New slang
¿Qué significa "chido"?
What does "chido" mean?
Quote the word after significa.
- 3Street sign
¿Qué significa esta señal?
What does this sign mean?
Qué significa with a noun.
Mistakes English speakers make with ¿Qué significa esto?
Incorrect: ¿Qué mean esto?
Correct: ¿Qué significa esto?
Use significa, not English mean.
Incorrect: ¿Qué significa? (too vague when pointing)
Correct: ¿Qué significa esto?
Add esto or the word so qué significa has a target.
Good to know
Menus spark ¿qué significa esto? for travelers. Point as you ask ¿qué significa esto? Answers may be a synonym or gesture.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Decoding a café chalkboard
ChatPal
Mira: "agua de jamaica".
Look: "agua de jamaica".
You
¿Qué significa esto?
What does this mean?
ChatPal
Es una bebida. ¿Qué significa "jamaica" aquí? Flor.
It's a drink. What does "jamaica" mean here? Hibiscus.
You
Ah, hibiscus tea. Gracias.
Ah, hibiscus tea. Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"What does this mean?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "What does this mean?" in Spanish
Significa or quiere decir?
Both ask meaning. Qué significa esto is crystal clear.
Do I accent qué?
Yes. Qué is the question word in ¿qué significa esto?
How do I ask about one word?
¿Qué significa "palabra"?
Is this formal?
Neutral. Soften with perdón if you interrupt.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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