How to Say "tell it" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “tell it” is “dilo” — use 'dilo' when you are directly commanding someone to say or reveal something specific that has just been mentioned or is understood..
dilo
DEE-loh/ˈdi.lo/
Examples
Me contaste todo, ¡dilo ahora!
You told me everything, say it now!
No te quedes callado. ¡Dilo ya!
Don't stay quiet. Say it now!
Sé que sabes la verdad. Solo dilo.
I know you know the truth. Just tell it.
¿Qué te pasó? Dilo, por favor.
What happened to you? Tell me, please.
The 'Verb + Pronoun' Structure
This word is actually two parts stuck together: 'di' (the informal command for 'say') and 'lo' (meaning 'it'). In Spanish commands, the pronoun always attaches directly to the end.
Base Verb
The command 'di' comes from the irregular verb 'decir' (to say or tell). It is one of the shortest, strongest informal commands in Spanish.
Stress and Pronunciation
When you stick 'di' and 'lo' together, the stress stays on the first syllable (DÍ-lo). Even though the stress is on 'di', no written accent is needed because the resulting two-syllable word ends in a vowel.
Separating the Parts
Mistake: “Do not say 'Di lo' (as two separate words) when giving a command.”
Correction: The pronoun must be attached to the command, making it one word: 'Dilo'. This is only true for affirmative commands (telling someone to do something).
Using the Wrong Pronoun
Mistake: “Using 'dila' when referring to a masculine topic (e.g., el secreto).”
Correction: Use 'lo' when the thing being said is general information or a masculine noun (el chiste). Use 'la' for feminine nouns (la verdad), resulting in 'dila'.
dile
/DEE-lay//ˈdi.le/
Examples
Dile a tu perro que se siente.
Tell your dog to sit.
Dile la verdad.
Tell him/her the truth.
Si ves a Juan, dile que me llame.
If you see Juan, tell him to call me.
Dile a tu mamá que la quiero mucho.
Tell your mom that I love her a lot.
Two Words in One: A Command + Who It's For
'Dile' is actually two words squished together: 'di' (the command 'tell' for a friend) and 'le' (which means 'to him' or 'to her'). In Spanish, when you give a positive command, you stick words like 'le' right onto the end of the verb.
Who is 'le'?
The 'le' part is a bit of a chameleon. It can mean 'to him,' 'to her,' or even 'to you' (if you're talking to someone formally, as 'usted'). You'll know who it is from the context of the conversation.
Separating the Words
Mistake: “Di le la respuesta.”
Correction: Dile la respuesta. For positive commands, the pronoun always gets attached directly to the verb, making it one word.
Using 'lo' or 'la' Instead of 'le'
Mistake: “Dilo que venga. (Trying to say 'Tell him to come')”
Correction: Dile que venga. Use 'le' when you're telling *something to someone*. 'Le' points to the person receiving the message. 'Lo' or 'la' would be for the message itself (e.g., 'El secreto... dilo' -> 'The secret... say it').
Dilo vs. Dile
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