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A colorful storybook illustration showing two simple, friendly characters interacting. One character is speaking clearly, and a stylized speech bubble containing a single small, glowing star is visible, representing the 'it' or statement being delivered.

decirlo

deh-SEER-loh

VerbA2irregular ir
to say it?referring to a fact or statement,to tell it?referring to a story or information
Also:to state it?more formal

Quick Reference

infinitivedecir
gerunddiciéndolo
past Participledicho

📝 In Action

Es importante decirlo ahora mismo.

A2

It's important to say it right now.

No quería decirlo, pero es la verdad.

B1

I didn't want to say it, but it's the truth.

Gracias por decirlo tan claramente.

B1

Thank you for saying it so clearly.

Es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo.

B2

It's easier to say it than to do it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • expresarlo (to express it)
  • comunicarlo (to communicate it)
  • mencionarlo (to mention it)

Antonyms

  • callarlo (to keep it quiet)
  • ocultarlo (to hide it)
  • negarlo (to deny it)

Common Collocations

  • es difícil decirlo – it's hard to say it
  • es fácil decirlo – it's easy to say it
  • sin decirlo – without saying it
  • por decirlo así – so to speak

Idioms & Expressions

  • más fácil decirlo que hacerlo – easier said than done

💡 Grammar Points

A Verb Mashup: 'decir' + 'lo'

'Decirlo' is a combination of the verb 'decir' (to say/tell) and the pronoun 'lo' (it/that). In Spanish, you can often attach words like 'it', 'me', 'you', etc., directly to the end of a verb's base form (the infinitive).

How to Use 'decirlo'

This form isn't changed or conjugated. It typically follows another verb, like 'Quiero decirlo' (I want to say it) or 'Puedes decirlo' (You can say it). It can also be the subject of a sentence: 'Decirlo fue un error' (Saying it was a mistake).

'Lo' Can Mean 'it' or 'that'

The 'lo' part is very flexible. It can refer to a specific object ('the secret') or a whole idea or situation you were just discussing. 'No sé cómo decirlo' can mean 'I don't know how to say it' or 'I don't know how to say that'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to Conjugate the First Verb

Mistake: "Yo decirlo mañana."

Correction: Voy a decirlo mañana. (I'm going to say it tomorrow.) 'Decirlo' stays the same, but the verb before it ('voy a') needs to be set up for the right person and time.

The Two Correct Positions for 'lo'

Mistake: "Quiero lo decir."

Correction: You have two correct choices: attach it to the end ('Quiero decirlo') or put it before the first verb ('Lo quiero decir'). Both mean 'I want to say it.' Never put it in the middle.

⭐ Usage Tips

Sound More Natural with 'A ver cómo decirlo...'

When you're hesitating or trying to find the right words, you can say, 'A ver cómo decirlo...' which is like saying, 'Let's see how to put this...' or 'How can I say this...'. It's a very natural-sounding phrase.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: decirlo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly means 'You have to say it'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

decir(to say, to tell) - verb
dicho(saying, proverb) - noun
contradecir(to contradict) - verb
predecir(to predict) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I say 'lo decir' instead of 'decirlo'?

No, you can't. When the verb is in its base form (the infinitive, like 'decir'), the pronoun 'lo' must be attached to the end, making 'decirlo'. The only time 'lo' can come before is when there's another, conjugated verb in front, like 'Lo quiero decir' (I want to say it).

Does 'decirlo' ever change? Like 'decirla'?

Yes, it does! The 'lo' part changes based on the gender and number of what you're talking about. If 'it' is a feminine noun like 'la verdad' (the truth), you would say 'decirla'. If you're talking about multiple things, you'd use 'los' or 'las', for example: 'decirlos' (to say them - masculine) or 'decirlas' (to say them - feminine).

Why aren't there conjugations for 'decirlo'?

'Decirlo' itself is a fixed form and is never conjugated. It's built from the infinitive 'decir'. To use it in different tenses, you conjugate the verb that comes *before* it. For example: 'Voy a decirlo' (I am going to say it), 'Quería decirlo' (I wanted to say it), 'Debes decirlo' (You should say it).