Inklingo
← Dictionary

dí

/dee/

I gave

A small child smiling while successfully handing a bright red apple to an adult's outstretched hand, illustrating a completed past action.

Depicting a completed past action: 'I gave'.

dí(Verb (past tense form))

A1irregular ar

I gave

?

simple past action

Also:

I did give

?

emphasis on past action

📝 In Action

Yo dí mi número de teléfono al banco.

A1

I gave my phone number to the bank.

Le dí las gracias por su ayuda.

A2

I gave him/her thanks for his/her help. (I thanked him/her.)

No dí importancia a su comentario.

B1

I didn't give importance to his comment. (I ignored his comment.)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entregar (to hand over)
  • regalar (to gift)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dí un paseo – I took a walk
  • dí la mano – I shook hands (I gave my hand)

Idioms & Expressions

  • dí en el blanco – I hit the nail on the head

💡 Grammar Points

Irregular Past Tense

The verb 'dar' is irregular in the simple past (preterite) tense. Instead of using the usual '-é' ending, the 'yo' form is simply 'dí'.

Using 'Le' (Indirect Object)

When you say who received the gift, you often use 'le' (to him/her/it) before the verb, even if you mention the person later: 'Le dí un libro a Ana' (I gave a book to Ana).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'dí' and 'di'

Mistake: "Usando 'di' (without the accent) for the past tense."

Correction: Always use 'dí' (with the accent mark) when writing the 'I gave' form. The accent is required to distinguish it from other words.

⭐ Usage Tips

Past Actions

Use 'dí' when talking about a single, completed action in the past, like 'I gave it yesterday' or 'I gave the answer.'

A person pointing firmly at a small blue ball on the ground while holding their other hand open and palm up, indicating an urgent command.

Illustrating the informal affirmative command: 'Give!'

dí(Verb (command form))

A1irregular command ar

Give!

?

informal affirmative command (Tú)

Also:

Tell!

?

command for information (e.g., 'díme la verdad')

📝 In Action

¡Dí tu opinión sobre el plan!

A2

Give your opinion about the plan!

Dímelo ahora mismo.

A1

Give it to me right now. / Tell it to me right now.

Díles tiempo para pensarlo.

B1

Give them time to think about it.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • díme – Tell me / Give me
  • díselo – Tell it to him/her

💡 Grammar Points

Affirmative Commands

When you tell someone to DO something (affirmative command), the short command form 'dí' is used for friends (tú). Pronouns (like 'me', 'lo', 'se') are attached directly to the end of 'dí'.

Pronoun Attachment

When attaching pronouns, the accent mark on 'dí' must be kept to ensure the correct syllable is stressed: 'dímelo' (GIVE it to me) not 'dimelo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing commands

Mistake: "Using the 'tú' command 'dí' when speaking to someone you should address formally (usted)."

Correction: For formal commands (usted), you must use 'dé'. Example: 'Déme la llave' (Give me the key, formal).

⭐ Usage Tips

Action vs. Information

'Dí' is used for physical actions ('Give me the book') and for giving information ('Tell me your name').

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: dí

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'dí' as a command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

dar(to give) - verb
dador(giver) - noun
donación(donation) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If 'dí' means 'I gave,' how do I say 'I saw'?

The verb 'to see' is 'ver'. Its 'I saw' form is 'ví'. Notice that 'ver' is also irregular and uses a similar short form with an accent mark.

Is 'dí' ever used without the accent?

Yes, but it means something different! 'Di' (without the accent) is the 'tú' imperative (command) form of the verb 'decir' (to say/tell). Example: 'Di algo' (Say something). However, the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) suggests that 'dí' (with accent) is the correct spelling for both 'I gave' and the command 'Give!'