decirlo
“decirlo” means “to say it” in Spanish (referring to a fact or statement).
to say it, to tell it
Also: to state it
📝 In Action
Es importante decirlo ahora mismo.
A2It's important to say it right now.
No quería decirlo, pero es la verdad.
B1I didn't want to say it, but it's the truth.
Gracias por decirlo tan claramente.
B1Thank you for saying it so clearly.
Es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo.
B2It's easier to say it than to do it.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: decirlo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly means 'You have to say it'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
A compound word formed from the Spanish verb 'decir' and the pronoun 'lo'. 'Decir' comes from the Latin 'dīcere' (to say, to speak), and 'lo' comes from the Latin accusative pronoun 'illum' (that, it). This structure of attaching pronouns to the end of infinitives is a classic feature of Spanish and other Romance languages.
First recorded: This grammatical construction has been a core part of the Spanish language since its early development from Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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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).