dé
“dé” means “give (formal command)” in Spanish (Usted command form of 'dar').
give (formal command), may give
Also: allow
📝 In Action
Por favor, déme su pasaporte.
A1Please, give me your passport (formal 'usted').
No creo que me dé tiempo de terminar.
A2I don't think I'll have time (literally: 'that it gives me time') to finish.
Que Dios le dé mucha salud.
B1May God give you (formal) good health.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: dé
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'dé' (the verb)?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
'Dé' comes directly from the verb 'dar,' which itself evolved from the Latin verb 'dare,' meaning 'to give.' The accent mark was introduced simply to avoid confusing this verb form with the extremely common, unaccented preposition 'de' (of, from).
First recorded: Emerged as a distinct form alongside the development of the Spanish subjunctive mood from Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'dé' have an accent mark?
The accent is mandatory to distinguish it from the extremely common preposition 'de' (meaning 'of' or 'from'). This ensures clarity when reading, as they are pronounced identically but have completely different functions.
How do I know if I should use 'dé' or 'da'?
Use 'dé' for formal commands (addressing 'usted'), wishes, or possibilities. Use 'da' for informal commands (addressing 'tú'). Example: Informal command: 'Da la pelota.' Formal command: 'Dé la pelota.'