Introduction to Decir
Decir, meaning “to say” or “to tell,” is an essential and irregular verb in Spanish. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and serves as a key means of expressing communication.
- Decir translates to "to say" or "to tell."
- It's an irregular verb, meaning it doesn't follow standard conjugation patterns.
- Essential for expressing communication in Spanish.
Conjugations
The conjugation of decir is irregular, particularly in the present tense. Here’s how it’s conjugated in some key tenses:
| Tense | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Digo, Dices, Dice | I say, You say, He/She says |
| Preterite | Dije, Dijiste, Dijo | I said, You said, He/She said |
| Imperfect | Decía, Decías, Decía | I was saying, You were saying, He/She was saying |
| Future | Diré, Dirás, Dirá | I will say, You will say, He/She will say |
| Conditional | Diría, Dirías, Diría | I would say, You would say, He/She would say |
Present Tense Conjugation
| Subject | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | Digo | I say |
| Tú | Dices | You say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Dice | He/She says/You say |
| Nosotros | Decimos | We say |
| Vosotros | Decís | You all say |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Dicen | They say/You all say |
Uses of Decir
Decir is used in various contexts, primarily to express statements, quotes, and instructions. Its versatility makes it fundamental in Spanish communication.
- Expressing Statements: Used to convey information or opinions.
- Quoting Speech: Introduces direct quotes.
- Giving Instructions: Used to tell someone what to do.
Examples
- Expressing Statements:
"Ella dice la verdad." (She says the truth.)
- Quoting Speech:
"Él dijo, 'Hola'." (He said, 'Hello'.)
- Giving Instructions:
"Di la verdad." (Tell the truth.)
Common Expressions with Decir
Decir is part of several common expressions and idiomatic phrases in Spanish, enhancing its usage in everyday language.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Decir la verdad | To tell the truth |
| Decir mentiras | To tell lies |
| Decir que sí/no | To say yes/no |
| Decir algo | To say something |
| Decir en broma | To say in jest |
Example Sentences
- Decir la verdad:
"Es importante decir la verdad." (It’s important to tell the truth.)
- Decir mentiras:
"No debes decir mentiras." (You should not tell lies.)
- Decir que sí/no:
"Ella siempre dice que sí." (She always says yes.)