dijera
dee-HEH-rah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Si me lo dijera, te lo creería.
B2If he told me (it), I would believe it.
Yo esperaba que usted dijera la verdad.
B2I was hoping that you (formal) would tell the truth.
Actuaba como si no dijera nada importante.
C1He acted as if he weren't saying anything important.
Era necesario que yo dijera mi opinión.
B2It was necessary that I state my opinion.
💡 Grammar Points
The Special Form for Past Uncertainty
'Dijera' is a special past verb form (called the imperfect subjunctive) used for expressing wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations that relate to the past or conditional statements.
Trigger Phrases
You almost always use 'dijera' after phrases that express necessity, emotion, or uncertainty in the past, often linking two parts of a sentence with 'que' (that), like 'Yo quería que me dijera...' (I wanted him/her/you to tell me...).
The 'If...Then...' Rule
When making a past hypothetical sentence (If X happened, then Y would happen), the 'if' part (Si...) requires 'dijera' or a similar imperfect subjunctive form.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Subjunctive and Simple Past
Mistake: "Yo quería que tú dijiste la verdad. (Using 'dijiste,' the simple past)"
Correction: Yo quería que tú dijeras la verdad. (The desire requires the special subjunctive form 'dijeras'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Two Forms, One Meaning
Spanish has two forms for this tense: 'dijera' and 'dijese'. They mean exactly the same thing. 'Dijera' (the -ra form) is generally more common in everyday conversation.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dijera
Question 1 of 1
In the sentence 'Si yo _____ la verdad, todo sería diferente,' which form is required?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'dijera' and 'dijo'?
'Dijo' is the simple past (preterite) and expresses a completed fact: 'He said it.' 'Dijera' is the special past form (imperfect subjunctive) and expresses a hypothetical, uncertain, or desired action: 'If he said it,' or 'I wanted him to say it.'
Which pronouns use the form 'dijera'?
This form is used for 'yo' (I), 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), and 'usted' (you, formal). The context of the sentence tells you who is performing the action.