English “mean” has different Spanish translations depending on whether it describes what a word signifies, what a person intends, or an average. For a word or sign, use significar. For “to mean” as in “intend to say,” use querer decir. A mathematical or statistical mean is a promedio or media.
to signify / mean = significar
to mean / intend = querer decir
average / mean = promedio or media
Significar: What Something Means
Use significar when asking about the meaning of a word, symbol, or action. It is a regular -ar verb, following the pattern in AR verbs in Spanish. For example, ¿Qué significa esta palabra? means “What does this word mean?”
Meaning: to mean / signify
Querer Decir: Mean or Intend to Say
Querer decir literally means “to want to say” and is commonly used when clarifying someone’s intention or explaining a phrase. In the present tense, ¿Qué quieres decir? means “What do you mean?” and Quiero decir que sí means “I mean to say yes.”
The Mathematical Mean
For the numerical average, use el promedio or la media. Promedio is especially common in Latin America; media is also widely used, including in Spain. The noun and article depend on the term: el promedio, la media.
Examples
- ¿Qué significa esta señal? — What does this sign mean?
- No quise decir eso. — I didn’t mean that.
- ¿Qué quieres decir con “pronto”? — What do you mean by “soon”?
- El promedio de las notas es ocho. — The average grade is eight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mean in Spanish
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you ask what a word means?
Ask ¿Qué significa esta palabra?
What is the difference between significar and querer decir?
Significar describes meaning or significance; querer decir often asks what someone intends or means to say.
How do you say mean as an average?
Use promedio or media, depending on region and context.
Summary: Mean in Spanish
Use significar for what something signifies, querer decir for what someone means, and promedio or media for a mathematical average.
