Inklingo

How to Say "to tell" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to tell” is “decir” — use 'decir' when you are informing someone of a fact, giving an opinion, or relaying a message..

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decir

/deh-SEER//deˈθiɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'decir' when you are informing someone of a fact, giving an opinion, or relaying a message.
A person speaking with a speech bubble next to them, representing the act of saying something.

Examples

Mi mamá siempre dice la verdad.

My mom always tells the truth.

¿Qué dijiste? No te oí.

What did you say? I didn't hear you.

Por favor, dime tu nombre.

Please, tell me your name.

Telling vs. Speaking ('Decir' vs. 'Hablar')

'Decir' focuses on what is said (the message), while 'hablar' focuses on the action of speaking itself. 'Digo la verdad' (I tell the truth), but 'Hablo español' (I speak Spanish).

Who are you telling? ('Objetos Indirectos')

When you tell something to someone, you use little words like 'me', 'te', 'le' before 'decir'. For example, 'Te digo un secreto' means 'I'm telling you a secret'.

Confusing 'decir' and 'contar'

Mistake: “Voy a decirte una historia.”

Correction: Voy a contarte una historia. Use 'contar' for telling stories, jokes, or recounting events. Use 'decir' for specific information or quotes.

Irregular 'yo' form

Mistake: “Yo deco la verdad.”

Correction: Yo digo la verdad. The 'yo' form in the present is very irregular. Remember: 'digo'!

contar

cohn-TAR/konˈtaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'contar' when you are telling a story, a joke, or recounting an event in detail.
A cozy illustration of an adult person speaking animatedly with expressive hand gestures to two children who are sitting nearby, listening carefully to the story being told.

Examples

Ella siempre me cuenta historias fascinantes de su viaje.

She always tells me fascinating stories about her trip.

Te voy a contar un secreto, pero prométeme no decírselo a nadie.

I'm going to tell you a secret, but promise me not to tell anyone.

¿Me cuentas qué pasó anoche en la fiesta?

Will you tell me what happened last night at the party?

Who Hears the Story?

When 'contar' means 'to tell,' the person receiving the story often takes an indirect object pronoun (like 'me', 'te', 'le', etc.): 'Me cuenta' (He/She tells me).

Confusing 'Tell' verbs

Mistake: “Usar 'decir' para historias largas (e.g., Decir una historia).”

Correction: Use 'contar' for telling long narratives or stories. Use 'decir' for giving simple information or commands.

Decir vs. Contar

Learners often confuse 'decir' and 'contar' by using 'decir' for stories. Remember, if you are narrating an event or telling a tale, 'contar' is the correct choice. 'Decir' is strictly for conveying information or a simple statement.

Related Translations

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