significare

Significare is an Italian verb meaning to signify or to mean. It denotes the act of expressing what something represents, the relationship between a sign and its meaning, or the significance of an action, statement, or symbol. In everyday language it is used for linguistic meaning as well as for symbolic or pragmatic significance. The word derives from Latin significare, formed from signum, meaning “mark” or “sign,” and facere, meaning “to make” or “to do.” It is a regular -are verb.

In usage, significare appears in sentences like “Questo simbolo significa pericolo” (This symbol signifies danger) or “Cosa significa questa parola?” (What does this word mean?). In Italian, speakers often use related expressions such as "significare che" (to mean that) or substitute with phrases like "voler dire" for nuance or emphasis.

In linguistic and semiotic contexts, significare is connected to discussions of sense, reference, denotation, and signification. The corresponding Italian nouns for the concept of meaning or signification include significato (meaning) and significazione (signification), with significazione often used in scholarly or technical discourse. The term shares cognates with other Romance languages; for example Spanish significar and French signifier.

Cognates and related terms across languages illustrate the common Latin root. In Romanian, the related verb is a semnifica, while semnificație denotes meaning or significance, reflecting the same semantic lineage.