Decir is an irregular Spanish verb meaning "to say" or "to tell." It is used to express what someone says, tells, or reports. The verb is essential for direct and indirect speech, as well as for conveying information, commands, and statements.
Imperfect Usage
The imperfect tense in Spanish is used to describe past actions that were habitual, ongoing, or backgrounded. For decir, the imperfect is decía (I/he/she used to say, was saying, told).
- Decía la verdad. — I used to tell the truth.
- Ella decía que sí. — She was saying yes.
- Nosotros decíamos cosas interesantes. — We used to say interesting things.
- Los niños decían palabras difíciles. — The children were saying difficult words.
Example:
- Cuando era niño, siempre decía la verdad.* — When I was a child, I always told the truth.
Preterite Usage
The preterite tense is used for actions completed in the past. For decir, the preterite stem is dij- (e.g., dije, dijiste, dijo).
- Dije lo que pensaba. — I said what I thought.
- ¿Dijiste algo ayer? — Did you say anything yesterday?
- Ella dijo que no podía venir. — She said she couldn't come.
- Dijimos la respuesta correcta. — We gave the correct answer.
Example:
- Él dijo que saldría temprano.* — He said he would leave early.
Future Usage
The future tense expresses what will happen. For decir, simply add the future endings to the entire infinitive (deciré, dirás, dirá).
- Diré la verdad mañana. — I will tell the truth tomorrow.
- ¿Dirás algo en la reunión? — Will you say something at the meeting?
- Ella dirá su opinión. — She will give her opinion.
- Diremos lo necesario. — We will say what is necessary.
Example:
- Diré lo que pienso en la próxima clase.* — I will say what I think in the next class.
Present Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood expresses doubt, desire, uncertainty, or emotion. For decir, the root is díg- (yo diga, tú digas, él diga).
- Espero que digas la verdad. — I hope you tell the truth.
- Es importante que ella diga su opinión. — It's important that she gives her opinion.
- Ojalá digamos lo correcto. — Hopefully, we say the right thing.
- No creo que ellos digan mentiras. — I don't think they tell lies.
Example:
- Es posible que yo diga algo más tarde.* — It's possible that I say something later.
Hopefully, we say the right thing.
Ojalá — lo correcto. (nosotros / decir)
The present subjunctive 'digamos' is used with 'Ojalá' to express a hopeful wish — hopefully, we say the right thing.
It's important that she gives her opinion.
Es importante que — su opinión. (ella / decir)
The present subjunctive 'diga' follows 'Es importante que' to express necessity or importance — she gives her opinion.
Past Participle and Compound Tenses
The past participle of decir is dicho (said, told). Use it with haber to form perfect tenses.
- He dicho todo lo que sé. — I have said everything I know.
- Habías dicho eso antes. — You had said that before.
- Hemos dicho nuestras ideas. — We have expressed our ideas.
- Ellos han dicho mentiras. — They have told lies.
Example:
- Ya he dicho todo lo necesario.* — I have already said everything necessary.
Key Usage Patterns
- Decir + que + [subordinate clause]: Used to report what someone says.
- Dijo que vendría tarde. — She said she would come late.
- Decir + indirect object pronoun (le, les) + [direct object]: Used for telling or telling someone something.
- Le dije la verdad. — I told him/her the truth.
- Les dije mis planes. — I told them my plans.
- Decir + de + infinitive: Used to give an opinion or interpretation.
- Dicen de salir temprano. — They say to leave early.
In Spanish, how do you use 'decir' to report what someone says?
Decir + que + [subordinate clause]
'Decir + que + [clause]' introduces reported speech (e.g., Dijo que vendría tarde).
Conclusion
Decir is an essential, irregular Spanish verb used to express saying or telling. It appears in multiple tenses and moods with stem changes ( dec-, dij-, dig- ) and includes patterns for reporting speech, conveying messages, and expressing thoughts.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
