Inklingo

How to Say "saying" in Spanish

English → Spanish

diciendo

/dee-syen-doh//diˈsjendo/

Verb (Gerund)A2General
Use 'diciendo' when referring to the act of speaking or uttering words in the present continuous tense.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a child speaking directly to a listening adult. Small, abstract blue lines visually represent the sound or speech flowing from the child to the adult.

Examples

Estoy diciendo la verdad.

I am telling the truth.

¿Qué estás diciendo? No te entiendo.

What are you saying? I don't understand you.

Siguió hablando, diciendo que todo estaría bien.

He kept talking, saying that everything would be okay.

The Spanish '-ing' Form (Gerundio)

diciendo is the '-ing' form of the verb decir (to say/tell). You use it with a helper verb like estar to talk about an action that is happening right now, just like in English. For example, Estoy diciendo means 'I am saying'.

An Irregular Form

diciendo is irregular. Normally, verbs ending in -ir change to -iendo. But for decir, the 'e' in the stem also changes to an 'i' (dic-iendo) to make it sound right.

Using it for Future Plans

Mistake: “Estoy diciendo a mi jefe mañana. (I am telling my boss tomorrow.)”

Correction: Voy a decirle a mi jefe mañana. (I am going to tell my boss tomorrow.) In Spanish, the '-ing' form is almost always for actions happening *right now*, not for future plans like in English.

dicho

/DEE-choh//ˈdi.t͡ʃo/

NounB1General
Choose 'dicho' for a common, well-known phrase or proverb that is widely recognized.
A kind grandmother leaning down and whispering a piece of traditional wisdom into the ear of her curious grandchild in a sunny garden, symbolizing the transmission of a saying or proverb.

Examples

Como dice el dicho, 'más vale tarde que nunca'.

As the saying goes, 'better late than never'.

Mi abuela siempre tiene un dicho para cada situación.

My grandmother always has a saying for every situation.

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.

There's a big gap between what is said and what is done. (An idiom itself!)

Always Masculine

When used as a noun meaning 'saying', 'dicho' is always masculine. You'll always say 'el dicho' or 'un dicho'.

decir

/deh-SEER//deˈθiɾ/

NounC1General/Formal
Use 'decir' when referring to an old or specific expression or proverb from a particular place or group, often with a more formal or traditional feel.
A collection of old, wise-looking books, representing sayings and wisdom.

Examples

Es un decir muy antiguo de mi pueblo.

It's a very old saying from my town.

Tenía un decir muy elegante y refinado.

He had a very elegant and refined way of speaking.

sentencia

sen-TEN-see-ah/senˈten.θja/

NounC1Formal
Opt for 'sentencia' when the 'saying' is a profound, wise, or philosophical quote, often found in literature or serious discourse.
A wise-looking owl sitting on a thick tree branch, observing a small, brightly lit oil lamp.

Examples

El libro de filosofía estaba lleno de sentencias sobre la vida y la muerte.

The philosophy book was full of maxims about life and death.

Ella habló con tanta autoridad que cada frase parecía una sentencia.

She spoke with such authority that every phrase seemed like a profound pronouncement.

Dicho vs. Decir for Proverbs

Learners often confuse 'dicho' and 'decir' when translating proverbs. Use 'dicho' for general, common sayings everyone knows, like 'el dicho dice...'. Reserve 'decir' for more specific, perhaps older or regional, expressions that are less universally known.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.