dijo
/DEE-ho/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ella dijo que no.
A1She said no.
Mi amigo me dijo un secreto.
A2My friend told me a secret.
El presidente dijo que la economía mejoraría.
B1The president said that the economy would improve.
¿Qué fue lo que usted dijo?
A2What was it that you (formal) said?
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
A Specific Moment in the Past
'Dijo' is used for a single, completed action of speaking. Think of it like a snapshot in time: someone said something, and the action is finished.
Who is 'dijo'?
This one word can mean 'he said,' 'she said,' or 'you said' (when you're being formal). You'll always know who's talking from the rest of the sentence or conversation.
From 'decir' (to say)
'Dijo' comes from the verb 'decir'. 'Decir' is highly irregular, meaning its forms don't follow the normal patterns, so it's a good one to memorize!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Dijo' vs. 'Decía'
Mistake: "When telling a story, you might say: 'Ella decía hola y se fue.'"
Correction: Instead, say: 'Ella dijo hola y se fue.' (She said hi and left.) Use 'dijo' for quick, one-time actions. Use 'decía' for describing something that was happening over a period of time, like 'She was saying...'
⭐ Usage Tips
The Storyteller's Best Friend
'Dijo' is essential for telling stories or reporting conversations. It's the most common way to quote someone or explain what they communicated.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dijo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'dijo' correctly for a single, completed action in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'dijo' and 'decía'?
Think of it like a photo vs. a video. 'Dijo' is a photo—it captures a single, completed action ('He said one thing'). 'Decía' is a video—it describes an ongoing or repeated action in the past ('He was saying...' or 'He used to say...').
How do I know if 'dijo' means 'he said', 'she said', or 'you said'?
You'll know from the context! If you were just talking about María, then 'dijo' means 'she said'. If you were talking about Juan, it means 'he said'. The surrounding sentences will make it clear.
Is 'dijo' the same as 'habló'?
Not quite. 'Habló' means 'he/she spoke' and refers to the general act of speaking ('She spoke for an hour'). 'Dijo' means 'he/she said' and is used to report the specific content of what was spoken ('She said hello').