dar a entender
verbCEFR B2
What does “dar a entender” mean in English?
to imply, to hint
to imply, to hint (to communicate indirectly; dar a entender que + indicative — indirect register)
Example sentences
Con su tono y su silencio, dio a entender que no estaba de acuerdo con la decisión tomada.
With his tone and silence, he implied that he did not agree with the decision that had been made.
Sus palabras dieron a entender que la empresa podría considerar ampliar el plazo si se lo justificamos bien.
Her words implied that the company might consider extending the deadline if we make a good enough case.
No lo dijo directamente, pero dio a entender que la reunión no había ido bien.
He didn't say it directly, but he implied that the meeting hadn't gone well.
How to use it
Dar a entender means 'to imply', 'to hint', or 'to give the impression'. It is an idiomatic verb phrase used to describe indirect communication — when a speaker conveys something without stating it explicitly. Pattern: dar a entender que + indicative. This phrase is central to describing hedging and indirectness at B2. It often appears in the preterite (dio a entender) to report what someone implied: 'El director dio a entender que el proyecto estaba en peligro'. Contrast: dejar caer (to drop a hint — more casual) and sugerir (to suggest explicitly).
Common mistake
Don't confuse dar a entender (to imply / give the impression) with hacer entender (to make someone understand — causative). 'Dio a entender que era tarde' = he implied it was late (indirect); 'Me hizo entender que era tarde' = he made me understand / he got it across to me. Dar a entender is not interchangeable with decir — it specifically marks indirect or implicit communication.