decirles
deh-SEER-less
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Necesito decirles algo importante.
A2I need to tell them something important.
Antes de irme, quiero decirles adiós a todos.
B1Before leaving, I want to say goodbye to everyone (them).
Decidió no decirles la verdad por su propio bien.
B2She decided not to tell them the truth for their own good.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Infinitive + Pronoun' Rule
When a verb is in its base form (infinitive, like 'decir'), or in the 'ing' form (gerund, like 'diciendo'), you can attach the pronoun directly to the end, forming one word.
Who is 'les'?
'Les' is the pronoun that means 'to them' or 'to you all' (formal plural). It shows that the group receives the message or information.
Placement Flexibility
When you have two verbs (e.g., 'voy a decirles'), you can either attach the pronoun ('voy a decirles') or put it before the conjugated verb ('les voy a decir'). Both are correct!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mistaking 'Les' for 'Los/Las'
Mistake: "Quiero los decir la noticia. (I want to tell *them* the news.)"
Correction: Quiero decirles la noticia. ('Les' is used because they are receiving the information, not the information itself.)
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: "deciros (for 'decir' + 'os')"
Correction: Decirles does not need a written accent mark because the stress naturally falls on the syllable 'sir', following standard Spanish rules.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use the Compound Form
Use 'decirles' when the verb is the second verb in a chain (e.g., 'Debemos decirles', 'We should tell them') or when giving an affirmative command to 'vosotros' (e.g., 'Decidles la verdad!').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: decirles
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'decirles'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'decirles' written as one word?
In Spanish, when certain verbs are not conjugated (like infinitives, gerunds, or affirmative commands), any attached pronouns (like 'les') are physically glued onto the end of the verb, making it a single word.
Does 'decirles' ever require a written accent mark?
No. When the pronoun 'les' is attached to the infinitive 'decir,' the normal stress falls on the 'i' of 'decir' ('de-SIR-les'), which follows standard stress rules, so no written accent is needed.