Inklingo

How to Say "told" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “told” is “contó” — use this when narrating a story, sharing information, or recounting an event that happened in the past..

contóA1

Use this when narrating a story, sharing information, or recounting an event that happened in the past.

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dicho🔊A2

Use this as the past participle when forming compound tenses (like 'has told' or 'had told') to indicate that something was communicated.

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informóA2

Use this when someone officially or formally provides information, news, or a report.

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informado🔊A2

Use this in passive voice constructions to indicate that information was received by someone.

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contado🔊A2

Use this adjective when referring to something that has been counted or enumerated, like money or items.

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ordenó🔊A2

Use this when a person in authority officially commands or directs someone to do something.

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mandó🔊A2

Use this when giving a direct order or instruction, often implying authority or a strong command.

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English → Spanish

contó

VerbA1General
Use this when narrating a story, sharing information, or recounting an event that happened in the past.

Examples

Ella nos contó un secreto anoche.

She told us a secret last night.

dicho

/DEE-choh//ˈdi.t͡ʃo/

Verb (Past Participle)A2General
Use this as the past participle when forming compound tenses (like 'has told' or 'had told') to indicate that something was communicated.
A friendly cartoon character standing on a hill who has just finished speaking, with a bright blue bubble floating away from their mouth, symbolizing a completed action of speech.

Examples

Ya te he dicho la verdad.

I have already told you the truth.

¿Qué has dicho? No te oí.

What have you said? I didn't hear you.

Nos han dicho que la tienda está cerrada.

They have told us that the store is closed.

Partner to 'Haber'

Think of 'dicho' as the key ingredient for talking about the past with 'haber'. It almost always follows a form of this helper verb, like in 'he dicho' (I have said) or 'habíamos dicho' (we had said).

An Irregular Form to Memorize

The verb 'decir' (to say) is irregular. Its past participle isn't 'decido', but this special form: 'dicho'. It's one you'll just have to remember!

Mixing up 'Dicho' and 'Dijo'

Mistake: “Yo he dijo la verdad.”

Correction: Yo he dicho la verdad. Use 'dijo' to say 'he/she said' in the simple past, but always use 'dicho' with the helper verb 'haber' (he, has, ha...).

informó

VerbA2General
Use this when someone officially or formally provides information, news, or a report.

Examples

El presidente informó sobre los nuevos cambios.

The president reported on the new changes.

informado

/in-for-MAH-doh//in.foɾˈma.ðo/

Past ParticipleA2General
Use this in passive voice constructions to indicate that information was received by someone.
Two stylized figures interacting, one figure pointing towards a glowing symbol (representing information) floating between them, illustrating the completed action of informing.

Examples

Hemos informado a la gerencia sobre el problema.

We have informed the management about the problem.

El cliente fue informado del cambio de horario ayer.

The client was informed of the schedule change yesterday.

¿Ya habías informado a tus padres antes de salir?

Had you already told your parents before leaving?

Building Perfect Tenses

'Informado' is the special verb form (the -ado/-ido form) we use with the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions that have been completed. Example: 'Yo he informado' (I have informed).

Using the Passive Voice

When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), 'informado' describes an action done to the subject: 'El equipo fue informado' (The team was informed).

Mixing Auxiliary Verbs

Mistake: “Yo soy informado el jefe. (I am informed the boss.)”

Correction: Yo *he* informado al jefe. (Use *haber* for perfect tenses, not *ser*.)

contado

/kon-TAH-doh//konˈtaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use this adjective when referring to something that has been counted or enumerated, like money or items.
A single adult hand pointing at a small, neat row of five colorful wooden blocks, illustrating the action of counting or tallying.

Examples

Necesito saber si el dinero está contado.

I need to know if the money has been counted.

Esa es una historia muy contada en mi familia.

That is a very often-told story in my family.

Participle Agreement

When 'contado' is used as an adjective (not part of a perfect tense with 'haber'), it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'la historia contada' (f.) or 'los días contados' (m. plural).

VerbA2Formal
Use this when a person in authority officially commands or directs someone to do something.

Examples

El juez ordenó el arresto inmediato del sospechoso.

The judge ordered the immediate arrest of the suspect.

mandó

VerbA2General
Use this when giving a direct order or instruction, often implying authority or a strong command.

Examples

El director mandó que todos se quedaran después de la reunión.

The director ordered everyone to stay after the meeting.

Narrating vs. Reporting

Learners often confuse 'contó' (narrated) with 'informó' (reported). Use 'contó' for general storytelling or sharing news, and 'informó' for more official or factual reporting, like news from a president or a company update.

Related Translations

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