signifiquen

Signifiquen is the present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb significar, meaning to signify or to mean. It is used for the third-person plural subjects (ellos, ellas) and the second-person plural formal (ustedes) in subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood, such as expressions of doubt, desire, possibility, or necessity. For example: Es posible que signifiquen algo; Espero que signifiquen su compromiso. It is not used in the indicative mood.

Etymology and form: Significar comes from Latin significare, meaning to indicate or to signify. In the present subjunctive, -car verbs undergo a standard orthographic adjustment before e, giving forms such as signifique, signifiques, signifiquen, signifiquemos, signifiquéis, and signifiquen. Thus signifiquen represents the third-person plural form in the subjunctive and shares its root with other subjunctive endings of the same verb group.

Usage notes: Signifiquen is commonly confused with signmean or signfican in the indicative mood. The indicative present form is significan, not signifiquen. The subjunctive is typically triggered by dependent clauses after verbs of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty, or by certain conjunctions and expressions that require non-factual or hypothetical statements.

See also: Significado, Significar, Subjunctive mood, Spanish grammar.

References: For further reading, consult standard Spanish grammar references on verb conjugation and the subjunctive mood.