decirte
deh-SEER-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Quiero decirte algo importante.
A1I want to tell you something important.
Vine para decirte que lo siento.
A2I came to tell you that I'm sorry.
Tengo que decirte la verdad.
B1I have to tell you the truth.
No sé cómo decirte esto, pero rompí tu taza favorita.
B2I don't know how to tell you this, but I broke your favorite mug.
💡 Grammar Points
Two Words in One
Decirte is a combination of two words: the verb decir (to tell) and te (you). In Spanish, you can often attach little words like me, te, lo, etc., directly to the end of a verb's base form (its '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form).
Where to Put the 'te'
When you have two verbs together, like 'I want to tell you', the 'te' can go in two places: attached to the end of the second verb (Quiero decirte) or before the first verb (Te quiero decir). Both are correct and very common!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'decirte' with 'usted'
Mistake: "Quiero decirte algo, señor Pérez."
Correction: Quiero decirle algo, señor Pérez. Use `decirle` when you're speaking formally to 'usted' or about 'él/ella' (him/her).
Splitting the words
Mistake: "Voy a decir te un secreto."
Correction: Voy a decirte un secreto. (Or: Te voy a decir un secreto.) The 'te' must either stick to the end of 'decir' or jump all the way before 'voy'. It can't float in the middle.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Friends and Family
Remember, decirte uses 'te', which is the informal 'you' (tú). Use it with people you know well, people your age, or kids. For strangers, elders, or in professional settings, you would use decirle.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: decirte
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'decirte'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between `decirte` and `decirle`?
`Decirte` means 'to tell you' when you're talking to one person informally (tú). `Decirle` is more versatile; it means 'to tell him,' 'to tell her,' or 'to tell you' when you're speaking to someone formally (usted).
Can I ever say `te decir`?
Not on its own. The little word `te` can't just float before the base form `decir`. It must either be attached to the end (`decirte`) or go before a changed verb, like in `Te voy a decir algo` (I am going to tell you something).
Why are the conjugations for `decir` shown here?
`Decirte` isn't a verb that changes for who is doing the action. It's a combination of the base verb `decir` + `te`. To actually use it in a sentence, you'll almost always change `decir` (or a verb before it), so we show you the forms of `decir` to help you build your own sentences.