dice
“dice” means “he/she/it says” in Spanish (reporting speech).
he/she/it says
Also: he/she/it tells, you (formal) say
📝 In Action
Mi mamá dice que la cena está lista.
A1My mom says that dinner is ready.
¿Qué dice el letrero?
A2What does the sign say?
Ella siempre dice la verdad.
B1She always tells the truth.
Usted dice que prefiere el té, ¿verdad?
B1You say you prefer tea, right?
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: dice
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'dice'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb 'dīcere', which meant 'to say, to speak, or to state'. It has been a core part of Romance languages for centuries.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'dice' and 'dices'?
'Dice' is used for 'he', 'she', 'it', and the formal 'you' (usted). 'Dices' is the informal 'you' (tú) form. You would say '¿Qué dices?' to a friend, but '¿Qué dice usted?' to a stranger or respected elder.
Can 'dice' also mean 'tells'?
Yes, absolutely. The verb 'decir' covers both 'to say' and 'to tell'. 'Ella dice la verdad' means 'She tells the truth.' The right translation depends on the rest of the sentence.