Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to say" in Spanish: decir
decir
To say in Spanish is decir. Everyday forms are yo digo, tú dices, and ella dijo. Quiero decir softens a mid-sentence clarification.
Correcting yourself
Quiero decir, el hotel está más cerca.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce decir
Say it
deh-SEER / DEE-goh / DEE-sehs
/de.ˈsiɾ/
deh-SEER. Yo digo is DEE-goh. Tú dices is DEE-sehs.
"to say" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| decir | to say Dictionary infinitive. | Dictionary infinitive. |
| yo digo | I say Present first person. | Present first person. |
| tú dices | you say Informal present. | Informal present. |
| dijo | he/she said Simple past. | Simple past. |
| quiero decir | I mean Clarifier in speech. | Clarifier in speech. |
How to use decir in real life
- 1Correcting yourself
Quiero decir, el hotel está más cerca.
I mean, the hotel is closer.
Quiero decir repairs a sentence.
- 2Reporting speech
Ella dijo que llega a las nueve.
She said she arrives at nine.
Dijo is a key past form.
- 3Giving advice
Yo digo la verdad cuando puedo.
I tell the truth when I can.
Digo is present first person.
Mistakes English speakers make with decir
Incorrect: Yo decir eso ayer.
Correct: Yo dije eso ayer.
Past of decir is dije, not the infinitive.
Incorrect: Tú decir sí?
Correct: ¿Tú dices sí?
Present with tú is dices.
Good to know
Good to knowDecir covers say and often tell in English. Contar fits stories better. Latin Americans sprinkle quiero decir when thinking out loud. For you all, use ustedes dicen, not vosotros.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Clarifying meeting plans
ChatPal
¿Qué dices del horario?
What do you say about the time?
You
Yo digo que las siete es mejor.
I say that seven is better.
ChatPal
Ana dijo lo mismo.
Ana said the same thing.
You
Entonces quedó. Nos vemos ahí.
Then it's settled. See you there.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to say" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to say" in Spanish
How do I say I say?
Yo digo.
What is the past of decir?
Yo dije; él/ella dijo; ellos dijeron.
Decir vs contar?
Decir = say; contar = tell a story.
How do you pronounce digo?
DEE-goh, soft g as in go.
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