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How to Say "you say" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dices

/DEE-ses//ˈdi.ses/

VerbA1General
Use 'dices' for general, everyday statements or questions about what someone is saying in the present indicative tense.
A child speaking clearly to an adult who is leaning in to listen intently, illustrating the action of 'you say' or 'you tell'.

Examples

¿Qué dices?

What are you saying?

Siempre dices la verdad.

You always tell the truth.

Si me dices que sí, me quedo.

If you tell me yes, I'll stay.

The 'You' Form of 'Decir'

Dices is how you say 'you say' or 'you tell' when talking to one friend or family member (the 'tú' form). It comes from the super common but tricky verb decir.

A Tricky Vowel Change

Notice how the 'e' in decir changes to an 'i' in dices. This is a common pattern for some verbs, but you just have to memorize it for decir.

Mixing up 'Decir' and 'Hablar'

Mistake: “Tú hablas la verdad.”

Correction: Tú `dices` la verdad. Use `decir` for telling specific information, facts, or messages. Use `hablar` for the general act of speaking or talking.

decís

VerbA1Informal/Regional
Use 'decís' when addressing 'vos' (a familiar second-person singular pronoun used in some Spanish-speaking regions, especially Argentina and Uruguay) to communicate a thought or fact.

Examples

¿Qué decís vos sobre este tema?

What do you say about this topic?

digas

/DEE-gahs//'di.ɣas/

VerbA2General
Use 'digas' in the present subjunctive mood, typically following expressions of hope, doubt, desire, or suggestion, when referring to what 'you' might say.
A small child leaning close to another person's ear and whispering a clear, important secret, illustrating the act of telling or saying something based on a wish or desire.

Examples

Espero que me digas la verdad.

I hope that you tell me the truth.

No creo que digas eso en serio.

I don't think you're saying that seriously.

Cuando digas algo, piénsalo bien.

When you say something, think about it carefully.

The 'Wish & Doubt' Verb Form (Subjunctive)

In Spanish, when you express wishes, doubts, emotions, or suggestions about someone else's actions, the verb for that action changes. 'Digas' is this special form for 'tú' (you). For example, 'Quiero que tú digas la verdad' (I want you to tell the truth).

Using 'Dices' Instead of 'Digas'

Mistake: “Quiero que me dices la verdad.”

Correction: Quiero que me **digas** la verdad. After a 'trigger' phrase like 'Quiero que' (I want that...), Spanish requires this special 'digas' form, not the regular 'dices'.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

The most common mistake is using the indicative form ('dices', 'decís') when the subjunctive is required. Remember, if you're expressing uncertainty, hope, or a command indirectly, you'll likely need 'digas' (or its plural/formal forms).

Related Translations

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