Inklingo

How to Say "you told" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “you told” is “dijiste” — use 'dijiste' when you are reporting what someone said, especially if the focus is on the utterance itself or if the speaker wasn't heard..

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dijiste

/dee-HEES-tay//diˈxiste/

VerbA2General
Use 'dijiste' when you are reporting what someone said, especially if the focus is on the utterance itself or if the speaker wasn't heard.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two friends communicating. A girl is actively speaking with an open mouth while a boy is focused on listening to her, symbolizing 'you said' or 'you told'.

Examples

¿Qué dijiste? No te oí.

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

Me dijiste que llegarías a las cinco.

You told me you would arrive at five.

Dijiste una mentira, y por eso estoy enojado.

You told a lie, and that's why I'm angry.

Talking About a Specific Past Action

'Dijiste' is the form of 'decir' (to say/tell) used for a specific, completed action in the past. You use it when talking to one person you know well ('tú') about something they said once. Think of it as the Spanish for 'you said' in sentences like 'Yesterday, you said...'

Adding an 's' at the end

Mistake: “Tú dijistes la verdad.”

Correction: Tú dijiste la verdad. It's a very common habit for native speakers and learners alike to add an extra 's' to this verb form, but the correct version never has it. Just remember: no 's' on 'dijiste'!

'Dijiste' vs. 'Decías'

Mistake: “Cuando éramos niños, me dijiste chistes todos los días.”

Correction: Cuando éramos niños, me decías chistes todos los días. Use 'dijiste' for a one-time event in the past. For repeated actions or habits, like 'you used to tell me jokes', you need the other past tense form, 'decías'.

contaste

kon-TAHS-teh/konˈtaste/

VerbA2General
Use 'contaste' when you are narrating or recounting a story, event, or detailed information to someone.
A speaker enthusiastically telling a story to a rapt listener seated opposite them.

Examples

¿Qué le contaste a tu jefe sobre el error?

What did you tell your boss about the mistake?

Contaste una historia muy divertida en la fiesta.

You told a really funny story at the party.

Telling vs. Saying

Use 'contar' for telling a story, a joke, or a detailed account. Use 'decir' for saying simple statements or giving direct quotes.

Confusing 'Contar' and 'Decir'

Mistake: “Contaste que ibas al cine. (You told that you were going to the movies.)”

Correction: Dijiste que ibas al cine. (You said that you were going to the movies.)

Diferencia entre 'decir' y 'contar'

Learners often confuse 'dijiste' (from decir) and 'contaste' (from contar). Remember that 'dijiste' is for reporting speech or something heard, while 'contaste' is specifically for telling a story or recounting events.

Related Translations

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