decir
/deh-SEER/
to say
The most common use of 'decir' is for the simple act of saying or telling something, just like this person is speaking.
📝 In Action
Mi mamá siempre dice la verdad.
A1My mom always tells the truth.
¿Qué dijiste? No te oí.
A2What did you say? I didn't hear you.
Por favor, dime tu nombre.
A1Please, tell me your name.
💡 Grammar Points
Telling vs. Speaking ('Decir' vs. 'Hablar')
'Decir' focuses on what is said (the message), while 'hablar' focuses on the action of speaking itself. 'Digo la verdad' (I tell the truth), but 'Hablo español' (I speak Spanish).
Who are you telling? ('Objetos Indirectos')
When you tell something to someone, you use little words like 'me', 'te', 'le' before 'decir'. For example, 'Te digo un secreto' means 'I'm telling you a secret'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'decir' and 'contar'
Mistake: "Voy a decirte una historia."
Correction: Voy a contarte una historia. Use 'contar' for telling stories, jokes, or recounting events. Use 'decir' for specific information or quotes.
Irregular 'yo' form
Mistake: "Yo deco la verdad."
Correction: Yo digo la verdad. The 'yo' form in the present is very irregular. Remember: 'digo'!
⭐ Usage Tips
The Super-Useful Command 'Dime'
The command 'Dime' (Tell me) is extremely common and natural in conversation. It's a quick way to ask for information, like 'Dime, ¿a qué hora llegas?' (Tell me, what time do you arrive?).
Sometimes, things 'say' something without speaking. A sign can 'decir' where to go, and a look can 'decir' how someone feels.
decir(Verb)
to indicate
?a sign, a symptom
to show
?emotions, evidence
,to read
?what a text says
📝 In Action
El cartel dice 'prohibido el paso'.
B1The sign says 'no entry'.
Su cara lo decía todo.
B2His face said it all.
El primer capítulo no dice nada sobre su pasado.
B1The first chapter doesn't say anything about his past.
⭐ Usage Tips
Personifying Objects
Spanish often treats objects that contain information (like books, signs, or letters) as if they can 'decir' things. It's a very natural way to talk about the content they hold.
As a noun, 'el decir' refers to a saying, a witty remark, or a particular way of speaking, like the wisdom found in old books.
decir(Noun)
saying
?a proverb or expression
way of speaking
?a person's manner of speech
,witticism
?a clever remark
📝 In Action
Es un decir muy antiguo de mi pueblo.
C1It's a very old saying from my town.
Tenía un decir muy elegante y refinado.
C1He had a very elegant and refined way of speaking.
⭐ Usage Tips
Recognize, Don't Use
This is a good word to be able to recognize if you see it in a book, but you probably won't need to use it in daily conversation. The word 'dicho' is much more common for 'saying'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: decir
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'decir' to mean 'what the sign says'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'decir' and 'contar'?
Think of 'decir' as reporting information ('He said he's coming') and 'contar' as narrating a story ('He told me a story'). You 'cuentas un chiste' (tell a joke) but 'dices la hora' (say the time).
Why is 'decir' so irregular?
It's a very old and common verb, and these verbs often have irregular forms that have been passed down from Latin. The good news is, because you'll see and hear it so often, the strange forms will start to feel natural over time!
How do I use 'querer decir'?
'Querer decir' is a fixed phrase that means 'to mean'. For example, if you don't understand a word, you can ask: '¿Qué quiere decir esa palabra?' (What does that word mean?).