Meaning and Use

The verb decir means to say or to tell in English. It is commonly used to report speech, convey information, or express an idea. Because it often introduces direct or indirect speech, it functions similarly to the English verbs "say" and "tell." Decir is an irregular verb; its stem and endings change in various tenses, especially in the present, preterite, and subjunctive forms.

Present Tense Usage

In the present tense, decir is frequently used to talk about what someone says repeatedly or habits. It is also common in everyday conversations to introduce quoted speech or to express general truths. Understanding its irregular conjugation is crucial for comprehension and communication in Spanish.

Preterite Tense Usage

The preterite of decir is irregular and commonly used to narrate events in the past where someone said or told something specific. It highlights completed actions and is essential in storytelling or recounting conversations.

Subjunctive Mood

Decir also appears in the subjunctive mood, often used to express wishes, doubts, or indirect commands involving speech or communication. This mood and tense are vital for polite requests or hypothetical situations in Spanish.

Command Forms

Imperative forms of decir are used to give commands or requests, both affirmative and negative. These forms are irregular and vary depending on whether the command is directed at tú, usted, or vosotros.

Conjugations

Spanish Pronoun	Spanish Conjugation	English Conjugation	Spanish Example	English Example
yo	digo	I say / I tell	Yo digo la verdad.	I tell the truth.
tú	dices	you say / you tell	Tú dices muchas cosas interesantes.	You say many interesting things.
él/ella/usted	dice	he/she says, you (formal) say	Ella dice que viene mañana.	She says she is coming tomorrow.
nosotros/as	decimos	we say / we tell	Nosotros decimos la noticia.	We tell the news.
vosotros/as	decís	you all say / you all tell	Vosotros decís la verdad.	You all tell the truth.
ellos/ellas/ustedes	dicen	they say / they tell	Ellos dicen que no saben.	They say they don't know.

Spanish Pronoun	Preterite Conjugation	English Conjugation	Spanish Example	English Example
yo	dije	I said	Yo dije la respuesta correcta.	I said the right answer.
tú	dijiste	you said	Tú dijiste eso ayer.	You said that yesterday.
él/ella/usted	dijo	he/she said, you said	Él dijo que no puede venir.	He said he can't come.
nosotros/as	dijimos	we said	Nosotros dijimos la verdad.	We said the truth.
vosotros/as	dijisteis	you all said	Vosotros dijisteis la noticia.	You all said the news.
ellos/ellas/ustedes	dijeron	they said	Ellos dijeron que sí.	They said yes.

Spanish Pronoun	Present Subjunctive Conjugation	English Equivalent	Spanish Example	English Example
yo	diga	(that) I say	Espero que yo diga la verdad.	I hope that I say the truth.
tú	digas	(that) you say	Es importante que tú digas lo que piensas.	It's important that you say what you think.
él/ella/usted	diga	(that) he/she says	Ojalá que ella diga la verdad.	Hopefully she says the truth.
nosotros/as	digamos	(that) we say	Quiero que nosotros digamos todo.	I want us to say everything.
vosotros/as	digáis	(that) you all say	Es necesario que vosotros digáis la verdad.	It's necessary that you all say the truth.
ellos/ellas/ustedes	digan	(that) they say	Ellos esperan que ustedes digan la verdad.	They hope that you say the truth.

Spanish Pronoun	Affirmative Command	Negative Command	Spanish Example	English Example
tú	di	no digas	Di la verdad.	Tell the truth.
usted	diga	no diga	Diga su nombre.	Tell your name.
vosotros/as	decid	no digáis	Decid la verdad.	Tell the truth (you all).
ustedes	digan	no digan	Digan la verdad.	Tell the truth (you all).

Understanding and practicing these conjugations will help you master how to use decir flexibly in speech and writing.