digamos

/dee-GAH-mos/

let's say

A simple colorful storybook illustration of a person holding their hands out, presenting a small, brightly colored star floating above their palms, symbolizing the introduction of a hypothetical idea.

As a discourse marker, digamos means "let's say," used when introducing a hypothesis or clarification.

digamos(Discourse Marker)

let's say

Introducing a hypothesis or clarification

for example

Giving an approximate figure

Also:

approximately

Approximation

sort of

Hedging or generalizing

📝 In Action

Necesitas, digamos, cinco horas para terminar este proyecto.

You need, let's say, five hours to finish this project.

Fui a la tienda y compré, digamos, pan, leche y huevos.

I went to the store and bought, for example, bread, milk, and eggs.

El vestido es demasiado caro, digamos unos trescientos euros.

The dress is too expensive, approximately three hundred euros.

Word Connections

Synonyms

pongamos por caso (let's put as a case)
por ejemplo (for example)

Common Collocations

digamos que – let's say that...

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Digamos' as a Filler

'Digamos' is used as a pause filler or a hedge word, similar to saying 'like' or 'I guess' in English when you are making a rough estimate or softening a statement.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Overuse in Formal Settings

Mistake: "Using 'digamos' too often in formal writing or presentations."

Correction: Reserve 'digamos' mainly for spoken Spanish or informal settings. In formal writing, use clearer phrases like 'por ejemplo' or 'aproximadamente'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Approximation

When you don't know the exact number or time, place 'digamos' right before or after the number to show you are guessing.

A colorful storybook illustration showing three stylized figures standing side-by-side with open mouths, projecting a single, unified stream of colorful sound waves, symbolizing a collective statement or wish.

When used in the subjunctive form, digamos translates to 'that we say,' expressing a shared wish or influence.

digamos(Verb (Conjugated Form))

A2irregular ir

that we say

Subjunctive use for wishes/influence

let's say

Nosotros command form

Also:

that we tell

Subjunctive use

📝 In Action

Es crucial que digamos la verdad en todo momento.

It is crucial that we tell the truth at all times.

Digamos algo diferente para no aburrir a la audiencia.

Let's say something different so we don't bore the audience.

Ojalá que no digamos nada incorrecto.

I hope that we don't say anything incorrect.

💡 Grammar Points

Subjunctive Use

As the 'nosotros' form of the present subjunctive, 'digamos' is used after certain phrases that express necessity, emotion, doubt, or when referring to a future or uncertain action (e.g., 'Es necesario que digamos...').

Let's Commands

'Digamos' is also the polite 'let's' command form. It means 'Let us say' or 'Let's say/tell,' urging a group action.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using Indicative Instead of Subjunctive

Mistake: "Saying 'Queremos que decimos la verdad' (We want that we say the truth)."

Correction: When the desire ('querer') is aimed at a different subject, the special verb form is required: 'Queremos que digamos la verdad'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: digamos

Question 1 of 1

Which of these uses 'digamos' as a fixed phrase meaning 'approximately' or 'let's say,' rather than a literal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

decir(to say, to tell) - verb

dicho(saying, proverb) - noun

dictamen(opinion, judgment) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'digamos' a common word?

Yes, extremely common. While its root verb, 'decir,' is fundamental (A1), the specific form 'digamos' is a crucial conversational tool (B1/B2) often used to introduce approximations or examples, making conversation sound much more natural.

Why does 'decir' change from 'c' to 'g' in 'digamos'?

The verb 'decir' is highly irregular, especially in its 'yo' form (digo) and the entire present subjunctive (diga, digamos, etc.). This irregularity is inherited from the ancient Latin root *dicere*, where some forms had a hard 'g' or 'k' sound that Spanish preserved in these specific conjugations.