How to Say "said" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “said” is “decía” — use 'decía' when referring to something someone used to say habitually in the past, often in storytelling or to describe past routines or beliefs..
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VerbA2General
Use 'decía' when referring to something someone used to say habitually in the past, often in storytelling or to describe past routines or beliefs.
Examples
Mi abuela siempre decía que hay que ser amable.
My grandmother always used to say that you have to be kind.
Verb (Past Participle)A2General
Use 'dicho' when referring to something that has been said or told, often in the perfect tenses (e.g., 'I have said').
Examples
Ya te he dicho la verdad.
I have already told you the truth.
AdjectiveB2Formal
Use 'dicho' as an adjective to refer to something already mentioned or specified, similar to 'the aforementioned' or 'the said'.
Examples
Dicho documento debe ser firmado por el gerente.
The said document must be signed by the manager.
Past Tense vs. Past Participle
A common mistake is using 'decía' (imperfect tense) when you mean something has been completed or stated, which requires the past participle 'dicho' (often with 'haber'). Remember, 'decía' sets a scene or describes a past habit, while 'dicho' refers to a completed act of saying.
Related Translations
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