decir
verbCEFR A1High frequency
What does “decir” mean in English?
to say / tell
Example sentences
¿Cómo se dice hello en español?
How do you say hello in Spanish?
Digo la verdad.
I tell the truth.
Le dice algo importante.
He tells him/her something important.
How to use it
Decir means 'to say' / 'to tell'. Irregular: digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen (e→i stem change). Strong 1sg digo.
Common mistake
Spanish doesn't split 'say' and 'tell' the way English does — decir covers both. Indirect object pronouns (me, te, le) signal 'tell to whom'.
Forms of decir
- Present
- digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen