decírmelo
“decírmelo” means “to tell it to me” in Spanish (as a single action).
to tell it to me
Also: to say it to me
📝 In Action
Necesito decírmelo a mí mismo para creerlo.
B1I need to tell it to myself in order to believe it.
No quería decírmelo, pero la verdad salió a la luz.
B2He didn't want to tell it to me, but the truth came out.
¿Puedes decírmelo otra vez? No entendí bien.
A2Can you tell it to me again? I didn't understand well.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: decírmelo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly places the pronouns for 'I need to tell the secret (it) to you (te)'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word is built from the highly irregular verb 'decir,' which comes directly from the Latin *dicere* (to say or speak). The attached pronouns 'me' and 'lo' are ancient Latin function words that simply attach themselves to the end of the verb.
First recorded: c. 13th century (base verb)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it 'decírmelo' and not 'decírmela'?
The ending pronoun ('lo' or 'la') must match the gender of the thing being told. 'Lo' is used here because it replaces a masculine noun (like 'el secreto' or 'el problema') or refers to an abstract idea. If you were telling someone 'la verdad' (the truth), the word would become 'decírmela'.
Is this structure common in spoken Spanish?
Yes, absolutely. Attaching two pronouns to an infinitive verb is very common and sounds natural, especially in longer sentences where placing the pronouns before a conjugated verb might break up the flow.