digo
/DEE-go/
I say
Visualizing 'I say' – a person actively speaking and communicating a message.
digo(Verb)
I say
?general statement
,I tell
?conveying information to someone
I mean
?clarifying a point
📝 In Action
Yo siempre digo la verdad.
A1I always tell the truth.
Cada mañana, le digo 'hola' a mi vecino.
A1Every morning, I say 'hello' to my neighbor.
No te preocupes, yo se lo digo.
A2Don't worry, I'll tell him/her.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Yo' Form of 'Decir'
'Digo' is the 'I' form of the verb 'decir' (to say/tell) in the present. Notice how the 'c' changes to a 'g'. This 'go' ending for the 'yo' form is common in other important verbs like 'hago' (I do) and 'tengo' (I have).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Digo' vs. 'Hablo'
Mistake: "Using 'digo' to mean 'I speak (a language)'. For example: 'Digo español.'"
Correction: Use 'hablo' for speaking a language: 'Hablo español.' Use 'digo' for saying specific words or telling information: 'Digo la verdad' (I tell the truth).
⭐ Usage Tips
Say vs. Tell
Just like in English, the root verb 'decir' can mean 'to say' or 'to tell'. Use 'digo que...' (I say that...) to report something. Use 'le digo a...' (I tell to...) when you're telling something to a specific person.
Visualizing 'I mean' – the moment of self-correction when changing a statement mid-thought.
📝 In Action
Nos vemos el martes... digo, el miércoles.
B1See you on Tuesday... I mean, on Wednesday.
Ella es de Argentina, digo, de Chile. Siempre las confundo.
B1She is from Argentina, or rather, from Chile. I always get them confused.
¡Qué frío hace! ¡Digo!
B2It's so cold! I'll say!
💡 Grammar Points
A Spoken 'Undo' Button
Think of 'digo' used this way as a spoken 'undo' or 'edit' button. You say something, realize it's wrong, and immediately say 'digo' followed by the correction.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Placement
Mistake: "Putting the correction before 'digo'. Example: 'Nos vemos el miércoles, digo, el martes.'"
Correction: Always say the wrong thing first, then 'digo', then the right thing: 'Nos vemos el martes... digo, el miércoles.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding Natural
When you use 'digo' to correct yourself, you can pause slightly before and after it. This makes it sound very natural, like you're thinking out loud.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: digo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'digo' to correct a mistake?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'decir' change to 'digo' for the 'I' form?
It's an irregular verb! Many of the most common verbs in Spanish have a special 'yo' form in the present tense that ends in '-go', like 'tengo' (from tener) and 'hago' (from hacer). You just have to memorize them, but you'll see them so often they'll become second nature.
What's the difference between 'digo' and 'le digo'?
'Digo' just means 'I say' or 'I tell'. When you see 'le digo', it means 'I tell him' or 'I tell her'. The 'le' is a little word that points to the person who is receiving the information. For example, 'Digo la respuesta' (I say the answer) vs. 'Le digo la respuesta' (I tell him/her the answer).