The 'Spanglish' Trap: 'Déjame saber'
Mistake: “Using 'Déjame saber' as a direct translation of 'Let me know'.”
Correction: Use 'Avísame' or 'Hazme saber' instead.
How to say
Let me know
in SpanishAvísame
ah-BEE-sah-meh
This is the most direct, common, and versatile way to say 'let me know'. It works in almost any situation, from making plans with friends to informal workplace communication.
Whether you're making plans with friends or coordinating with colleagues, knowing how to say 'let me know' is essential for clear communication.
🎬Watch & Learn
Let me know — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me avisas
★★★★★
meh ah-BEE-sahs
informal🌍
Functionally identical to 'Avísame', this is just a different grammatical construction meaning 'You let me know'. It's extremely common in everyday, casual conversation.
When to use: Use with friends, family, and peers when making plans. It feels very natural and conversational. For example, 'Me avisas si vienes' (Let me know if you're coming).
Dime
★★★★★
DEE-meh
informal🌍
Literally meaning 'Tell me', this is often used interchangeably with 'Avísame' in casual contexts, especially when you expect a quick or direct answer.
When to use: Perfect for informal situations where you want a piece of information. '¿Quieres venir? Dime antes de las cinco.' (Want to come? Let me know before five.)
Hazme saber
★★★★☆
AHS-meh sah-BEHR
neutral🌍
A very literal translation of 'Make me know'. It's a solid, all-purpose option that's a bit more structured than 'Avísame', making it safe for both casual and slightly more formal settings.
When to use: A great choice when 'Avísame' feels too direct and 'Infórmeme' feels too stuffy. It's common in emails and professional yet friendly communication.
Avíseme / Hágame saber
★★★★☆
ah-BEE-seh-meh/ /AH-gah-meh sah-BEHR
formal🌍
These are the formal 'usted' versions of 'Avísame' and 'Hazme saber'. The 'e' ending instead of 'a' signals respect and formality.
When to use: Crucial for business communication, speaking to elders, or addressing anyone you would call 'usted'. Use 'Por favor, avíseme' in an email to a client.
Me dices
★★★★★
meh DEE-sehs
informal🌍
Similar to 'Me avisas', this means 'You tell me'. It's extremely common and has a friendly, relaxed feel.
When to use: Use it exactly like 'Me avisas' for casual plans and follow-ups. 'Si cambias de opinión, me dices.' (If you change your mind, let me know.)
Mantenme informado/a
★★★☆☆
mahn-TEHN-meh een-for-MAH-doh
formal🌍
This means 'Keep me informed'. It implies an ongoing situation where you expect continuous updates, rather than a single piece of information.
When to use: Best for work projects, developing news, or any situation that unfolds over time. Remember to change the ending to '-a' (informada) if you are female.
Me cuentas
★★★☆☆
meh KWEHN-tahs
informal🌍
Literally 'You tell me about it' or 'You narrate to me'. This version has a storytelling or gossipy flavor. It's asking for the details or the story behind something.
When to use: When you want to hear how a date went, what happened at a meeting, or the outcome of a situation. '¿Cómo te fue? ¡Luego me cuentas!' (How did it go? Let me know later!)
Ya me dirás
★★★☆☆
yah meh dee-RAHS
informal🇪🇸
A phrase very characteristic of Spain. It literally means 'You will tell me already' and implies 'Let me know when you know' or 'We'll talk about it later'. It's a relaxed way to postpone a decision.
When to use: In Spain, when a friend is undecided about plans. 'No sé si iré a la playa o a la montaña.' 'Bueno, ya me dirás.' (I don't know if I'll go to the beach or the mountains. 'Okay, let me know what you decide.')
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best 'let me know' variation for your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avísame / Me avisas | Informal/Neutral | Everyday situations with friends, family, and most colleagues. | Very formal business settings or when addressing a respected elder. |
| Hazme saber | Neutral | A safe, all-purpose option for emails and professional yet friendly contexts. | Super casual chats with close friends, where 'dime' might feel more natural. |
| Avíseme / Hágame saber | Formal | Communicating with clients, bosses, professors, or anyone you'd address as 'usted'. | Talking to friends and peers, as it will sound very stiff and distant. |
| Dime / Me dices | Informal | Quick, casual requests for information among friends. | Any formal or professional context; it's too direct. |
| Mantenme informado/a | Formal | Requesting continuous updates on a project or evolving situation. | You just need a single piece of information, like a meeting time. |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerPractice for several days
Pronunciation2/5
The sounds in 'Avísame' are straightforward for English speakers. The main point is to stress the second syllable: ah-BEE-sah-meh.
Grammar3/5
The concept uses command forms of verbs, which can be tricky. The main difficulty is remembering to switch between informal ('-a' endings) and formal ('-e' endings).
Cultural Nuance3/5
Choosing the correct formality level is the biggest cultural challenge. Using an informal phrase in a formal context can seem disrespectful.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the right phrase among the many variations.
- Remembering to use the formal 'usted' command forms (e.g., Avíseme) in professional settings.
- Avoiding the common English calque 'déjame saber'.
💡Examples in Action
Casual conversation with a friend or family memberA2
Avísame cuando llegues a casa para saber que estás bien.
Let me know when you get home so I know you're okay.
Formal business emailB1
Por favor, hágame saber su decisión antes del viernes.
Please, let me know your decision before Friday.
Friendly offer to a peerA2
Si necesitas ayuda con la mudanza, me dices y voy.
If you need help with the move, let me know and I'll come.
Professional instruction to a colleagueB2
Mantenme informado sobre cualquier novedad del cliente.
Keep me informed about any news from the client.
🌍Cultural Context
Directness is Normal
In English, saying 'Inform me' can sound blunt or overly formal. In Spanish, the direct command 'Avísame' is perfectly normal and friendly. Don't feel like you're being rude; it's the standard way to ask for information.
The 'Usted' Rule is Key
The difference between 'Avísame' (for 'tú') and 'Avíseme' (for 'usted') is crucial. Using the wrong one can make you sound overly familiar with a superior or strangely distant with a friend. When in doubt in a formal setting, always use the '-e' ending.
Spain's Patient Approach
The phrase 'Ya me dirás' used in Spain reflects a more relaxed attitude towards planning. It's a way of saying 'There's no rush, just let me know when you've figured it out.' It conveys patience and a lack of pressure.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Formal Version
Mistake: “Saying 'Avísame, por favor' to your boss or an older person.”
Correction: Say 'Avíseme, por favor' or 'Hágame saber, por favor'.
Using 'Saber' Incorrectly
Mistake: “Trying to form the phrase as 'Sábelo a mí' or something similar.”
Correction: The phrase is constructed as 'Hazme saber' (Make me know).
💡Pro Tips
Your Go-To Trio
For 90% of situations, you just need to remember three options. Use 'Avísame' or 'Me dices' with friends. Use 'Hazme saber' for neutral or semi-formal emails. Use 'Hágame saber' or 'Avíseme' for very formal or respectful situations.
For Ongoing Updates
If you need more than a one-time update, switch to 'Mantenme informado/a' or 'Mantenme al tanto'. This clearly communicates that you expect to be kept in the loop as things develop.
Soften with 'Cuando puedas'
To make your request sound less demanding and more polite, you can add 'cuando puedas' (when you can) or 'cuando tengas un momento' (when you have a moment). For example, 'Avísame cuando puedas'.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Avísame / Me dices
Pronunciation:The 's' sound is often crisper. The 'z' in 'hazme' is pronounced like 'th' in 'thin' (in most of Spain).
Alternatives:
Ya me dirásDame un toque (Give me a shout/ring)
The use of 'Ya me dirás' is a hallmark of Peninsular Spanish. It conveys a relaxed, 'no-pressure' attitude about future plans that is very common in social interactions.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Me avisas / Avísame
Pronunciation:Pronunciation is generally very clear and follows standard Latin American patterns.
Alternatives:
Me echas un grito (colloquial, 'Give me a shout')Ahí me dices
Mexicans frequently use 'Me avisas' and 'Me dices' in a very fluid, conversational way. The tone is typically very friendly and accommodating.
🌍
Argentina & Uruguay (Rioplatense)
Preferred:Avisame
Pronunciation:The 'll' and 'y' sounds are pronounced as a 'sh' sound. The stress in the command 'Avisame' is on the final 'a' (a-vi-SA-me), reflecting the 'vos' conjugation.
Alternatives:
Che, avisameDespués contame (Later, tell me)
The most distinct feature is the use of 'vos' instead of 'tú', which changes the command form to 'avisame'. This is fundamental to sounding natural in this region.
⚠️ Note: Using the 'tú' form 'avísame' can sound foreign, though it will be understood.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask them to let you know
They say:
Claro, te aviso.
Of course, I'll let you know.
→
You respond:
¡Perfecto, gracias!
Perfect, thanks!
After you ask them to let you know
They say:
Sí, sin problema. Yo te digo algo.
Yeah, no problem. I'll tell you something.
→
You respond:
Vale, quedo pendiente.
Okay, I'll be waiting.
They give you the information you asked for
They say:
Oye, ya sé a qué hora es la cena. Es a las 8.
Hey, I know what time dinner is. It's at 8.
→
You respond:
¡Genial! Gracias por avisarme.
Great! Thanks for letting me know.
🧠Memory Tricks
Think of 'Avísame' as 'Advise me'. They sound similar and both involve giving someone information.
The connection between the sound and meaning of 'avísame' and the English word 'advise' makes it easier to recall under pressure.
Remember 'Hazme saber' as a literal recipe: 'Make me know'.
This word-for-word translation is easy for English speakers to construct and remember, and it happens to be a correct and common phrase in Spanish.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is that Spanish avoids the literal translation 'Let me know' ('Déjame saber'). Instead, it favors more direct command structures like 'Avísame' (Inform me) or 'Dime' (Tell me). While these sound very blunt in English, they are perfectly polite and normal in Spanish. The concept of using different verb forms for formal ('usted') and informal ('tú') registers is also much more critical in Spanish than in English.
Spanish is generally more direct in this context. 'Avísame' is a direct command, but culturally it's perceived as a simple, neutral request, not a bossy order. English tends to soften the request with phrases like 'Could you let me know?' or 'Just let me know when you can'.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"Let me know"
Why it''s different: The direct, word-for-word translation, 'Déjame saber', is a common mistake made by English speakers. It sounds unnatural and is a clear sign of 'Spanglish'.
Use instead: Use native-sounding phrases like 'Avísame', 'Me dices', or 'Hazme saber'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
I will let you know
This is the natural response to 'Let me know'.
Keep me posted
This is a similar but distinct phrase for ongoing situations.
Can you...?
Learning how to politely ask someone to do something is a core conversational skill.
Don't worry
A common and reassuring phrase to use when someone is waiting for your information.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: Let me know
Question 1 of 3
You need to ask your new boss to let you know when she is free for a meeting. Which is the most appropriate option?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the absolute most common, safe way to say 'let me know' in Spanish?
The most common and safest all-around choice is 'Avísame'. It's understood everywhere and works in most contexts, from casual to semi-formal. If you only learn one, learn this one.
Is it really wrong to say 'Déjame saber'?
While people will likely understand what you mean, 'Déjame saber' sounds very unnatural and is a clear marker of an English speaker. It's best to avoid it and use more authentic phrases like 'Avísame' or 'Hazme saber' to sound more fluent.
How do I say 'let me know' formally to my boss or a client?
Use the 'usted' form. The best options are 'Por favor, avíseme' or 'Por favor, hágame saber'. The '-e' ending on the verb is the key part that signals formality and respect.
What's the difference between 'avísame' and 'dime'?
They are very similar in casual contexts. 'Avísame' is more about being informed of a plan or status update. 'Dime' ('Tell me') can be a bit more direct and is often used when asking for a specific piece of information or a decision right now.
How do you say 'I will let you know' in Spanish?
The most common way is 'Te aviso'. For a formal context, you would say 'Le aviso'. For example, if someone says 'Avísame', you can respond, 'Claro, te aviso'.
When would I use 'mantenme informado' instead of 'avísame'?
Use 'Mantenme informado' (Keep me informed) when you're talking about a situation that is ongoing and you expect multiple updates over time, like a work project or a developing news story. Use 'Avísame' for a single piece of information, like a meeting time.
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