Spanish Phrase
¿Cómo defines el éxito?
Meaning
This question asks someone to explain their personal or professional definition of success. It can be used in casual conversation, interviews, or reflective discussions about goals and values.
When to use
Use it when you want to explore someone's values, during a job interview, in a classroom debate about ambition, or simply to spark a deeper conversation with a friend about life goals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cómodefineseléxito?
¿Cómo?
The interrogative adverb 'cómo' (with accent) asks 'how' and is used at the start of a question.
defines
Second‑person singular present indicative of the verb 'definir' (to define). Regular -ir verb: yo defino, tú defines, él/ella define.
el éxito
Masculine noun 'éxito' (success) takes the definite article 'el'. Note the accent on the í to keep the stress on the second syllable.
Question marks
Spanish uses an opening (¿) and closing (?) question mark for every interrogative sentence.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo defines el éxito?
How do you define success?
Para mí, el éxito es sentirme satisfecho con lo que hago y poder ayudar a los demás.
For me, success is feeling satisfied with what I do and being able to help others.
✕Common Mistakes
Como defines el éxito?
Missing the accent on 'Cómo' changes the meaning to 'as' instead of the interrogative 'how'.
¿Cómo definir el éxito?
Using the infinitive 'definir' (¿Cómo definir el éxito?) is ungrammatical; you need the conjugated form 'defines'.
¿Cómo defines el exito?
The noun 'éxito' requires an accent on the í; without it the stress falls on the wrong syllable.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué significa para ti el éxito?
What does success mean to you?
¿Cómo describirías el éxito?
How would you describe success?
¿Cuál es tu definición de éxito?
What is your definition of success?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking cultures, success is often linked to family well‑being, community contribution, and personal integrity, not just wealth or fame. When answering, you might hear references to "estar bien con la familia" (being well with family) or "tener paz interior" (having inner peace). Adjust your tone to match the formality of the setting: use "tú" in informal contexts and "usted" in formal interviews.