A colorful storybook illustration showing one character actively speaking to a second character. A small, glowing blue sphere, representing the message ('it'), is floating from the speaker's mouth toward the listener's ear.

díselo

DEE-seh-loh

VerbA2irregular (fused imperative) ir

Tell it to him?Informal singular command,Tell it to her?Informal singular command,Tell it to them?Refers to a group

Also:Say it to him/her/them?General meaning of communication

Quick Reference

infinitivedecir

gerunddiciendo

past Participledicho

📝 In Action

Si ves a Juan, díselo inmediatamente.

If you see Juan, tell it to him immediately.

No lo guardes en secreto. Díselo ya.

Don't keep it a secret. Tell it to them now.

¿Le digo la verdad? — Sí, díselo, es mejor.

Should I tell him the truth? — Yes, tell it to him, it's better.

💡 Grammar Points

Built from Three Parts

This single word is actually three pieces fused together: 'di' (the informal command to 'tell'), 'se' (the word meaning 'to him/her/them'), and 'lo' (the word meaning 'it').

Pronoun Order in Commands

When you attach two small words (pronouns) to an affirmative command, the 'to whom' word ('se' in this case) always comes before the 'what' word ('lo').

The Special 'Se' Rule

The pronoun 'se' here is a replacement for 'le' or 'les' (meaning 'to him/her/them/you formal'). Spanish doesn't allow 'le lo' or 'les lo', so it changes to 'se lo' for smooth sound.

Why the Accent?

When you attach two or more pronouns to a command, you must add an accent mark to the original stressed syllable ('di') to make sure the word keeps its proper pronunciation (DÍselo, not diSElo).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Le lo'

Mistake: "Dile lo (or Dilo le)"

Correction: Díselo. Spanish speakers always change 'le lo' to 'se lo' when the two pronouns are used together.

Incorrect Formal Command

Mistake: "Díselo (when speaking formally)"

Correction: Dígaselo. *Díselo* is only for informal ('tú') conversations. For formal ('usted') interactions, you must use the subjunctive root: *dígaselo*.

⭐ Usage Tips

Implied Context

Because 'lo' means 'it,' you must know what 'it' refers to from the previous conversation (e.g., 'the secret,' 'the message,' 'the truth').

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddice

yodigo

túdices

ellos/ellas/ustedesdicen

nosotrosdecimos

vosotrosdecís

imperfect

él/ella/usteddecía

yodecía

túdecías

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecían

nosotrosdecíamos

vosotrosdecíais

preterite

él/ella/usteddijo

yodije

túdijiste

ellos/ellas/ustedesdijeron

nosotrosdijimos

vosotrosdijisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddiga

yodiga

túdigas

ellos/ellas/ustedesdigan

nosotrosdigamos

vosotrosdigáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddijera/dijese

yodijera/dijese

túdijeras/dijeses

ellos/ellas/ustedesdijeran/dijesen

nosotrosdijéramos/dijésemos

vosotrosdijerais/dijeseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: díselo

Question 1 of 2

If you wanted to tell a group of friends, 'Tell it to him,' what would you say?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

decir(to say/tell) - verb

dicho(saying/proverb) - noun

dímelo(tell it to me) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'díselo' and 'dígaselo'?

'Díselo' is the informal command (used with 'tú'). 'Dígaselo' is the formal command (used with 'usted' or 'ustedes'). They both mean 'Tell it to him/her/them,' but they are used depending on your relationship with the person you are speaking to.

Can I use 'díselo' if I am telling something to my boss?

No, you should use the formal version, 'dígaselo.' 'Díselo' is reserved for friends, family, children, or people you know very well.