Inklingo

How to Say "tell y'all" in Spanish

The Spanish word fortell y'allis dilesA2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA2
Verb (Command Form)A2
regional informal plural address
A smiling adult character leaning down and whispering a secret instruction directly into the ear of a young child character. The child is holding a rolled-up piece of paper, ready to run off and deliver the message.

Examples

Necesito que me ayuden. Diles que vengan ahora.

I need them to help me. Tell them to come now.

Si ves a Juan y María, diles que mañana no hay clase.

If you see Juan and María, tell them that there is no class tomorrow.

No te olvides, diles la verdad sobre lo que pasó.

Don't forget, tell them the truth about what happened.

The Power of the Command

‘Diles’ is the informal command ('tú' form) of the verb 'decir' ('di'), with the pronoun 'les' (to them/y’all) attached directly to the end.

Pronoun Placement Rule

When giving an affirmative command (telling someone to do something), any pronoun objects (like 'les') must be glued onto the end of the verb.

Di vs. Decid

The base command 'di' is only for a single informal person ('tú'). If you are talking to multiple people, you would use 'digan' (formal plural) or 'decid' (informal plural, mostly Spain).

Incorrect Pronoun Order

Mistake:Les di.

Correction: Diles. (When giving a command, the pronoun must follow the verb.)

Confusing 'Les' and 'Le'

Mistake:Dile (when talking to multiple people).

Correction: Diles. ('Dile' means 'Tell him/her/you formal'; 'Diles' means 'Tell them/you all'.)

Related Translations

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