Section 12.3 · Double irregular: e → i stem change + -go yo form · digo · dice · decimos · dicen · decir vs. hablar · decir + que · indirect object pronouns · ¿Cómo se dice?
The verb decir (to say / to tell) holds a special place in this chapter because it combines two patterns you have already studied: the e → i stem change from Section 12.1 and the -go yo irregularity from Section 11.3. This makes digo one of the most distinctive yo forms in Spanish — but since you know both patterns separately, recognizing how they combine in decir should feel logical rather than surprising.
Decir is among the highest-frequency verbs in any language — the ability to say, report, tell, and quote is fundamental to communication. In professional settings, you use decir to relay messages (El gerente dice que la reunión es a las tres), report facts (Digo que el reporte está listo), and ask about language (¿Cómo se dice?). Combined with indirect object pronouns from Chapter 10, decir becomes the engine of information exchange: le digo, me dice, nos dice, les decimos.
Usted dice “Hola” en español.
You say "Hola" in Spanish.
Nosotros decimos al jefe que el trabajo terminó.
We tell the boss that the work finished.
Yo digo que el reporte está listo.
I say that the report is ready.
Usted habla español.
You speak Spanish. (general skill)
Nosotros hablamos con el jefe.
We talk with the boss. (ongoing conversation)
Yo hablo tres idiomas en el trabajo.
I speak three languages at work.
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Decir la verdad | To tell the truth | Tú dices la verdad. |
| Decir que sí | To say yes | Yo digo que sí. |
| Decir el nombre | To say the name | Ella dice su nombre. |
| Decir mentiras | To tell lies | Usted nunca dice mentiras. |
| ¿Qué dice? | What does it say? / What do you say? | ¿Qué dice el documento? |
| ¿Cómo se dice? | How do you say...? | ¿Cómo se dice “book” en español? |
Decir combines two patterns in a logical way. The yo form digo applies both the e→i stem change (the e in de- becomes di-) and the -go yo ending (from Section 11.3). The usted and ustedes forms dice and dicen apply only the e→i change — no -go, since -go is exclusive to yo. The nosotros form decimos applies neither change — the original e is preserved, exactly as in all boot verbs. Once you see it this way, decir is not harder than other verbs — it is simply the intersection of two patterns you already know. Key professional use: Yo digo que + information and Usted dice que + information are the frames for reporting facts and relaying messages.
The most productive professional use of decir is the structure decir + que, which introduces reported information. Yo digo que el reporte está listo (I say that the report is ready). El gerente dice que el plan es bueno (The manager says that the plan is good). Nosotros decimos que la reunión es a las tres (We say that the meeting is at three). This structure is how you relay messages, report what others have said, and state your position. The word que acts as a connector — it is the Spanish equivalent of “that” in English reporting structures, and unlike in English, it cannot be dropped: Digo que sí (not “Digo sí” for reported speech).
The distinction between decir and hablar is one of the most important in Spanish communication. Hablar describes the general activity of speaking, talking, or having a conversation: Usted habla español (You speak Spanish — general ability), Nosotros hablamos con el jefe (We talk with the boss — ongoing conversation). Decir delivers specific content — actual words, messages, or information: Usted dice “Hola” en español (You say "Hola" in Spanish — specific words), Nosotros decimos al jefe que el trabajo terminó (We tell the boss that the work is done — specific message). A useful test: if you can follow the verb with specific words in quotation marks or with que + information, use decir. If the verb stands alone or describes an ability or ongoing activity, use hablar.
Because decir almost always involves telling something to someone, it pairs naturally with the indirect object pronouns you learned in Chapter 10: me (to me), le (to you/him/her), nos (to us), les (to them/you all). The pronoun goes immediately before the conjugated verb: Yo le digo la hora a usted (I tell you the time), Usted me dice el precio (You tell me the price), El gerente nos dice que el plan es bueno (The manager tells us that the plan is good). The indirect object pronoun and the a + person phrase often appear together for clarity: Le digo a usted. The le / les + a + person combination is especially common with decir in formal and professional speech.
Several fixed expressions built on decir are among the most frequently used phrases in Spanish. ¿Cómo se dice ___? (How do you say ___?) is the single most important question for language learners — it uses the reflexive se dice (literally “it says itself”) to ask for a translation without naming a specific speaker. ¿Qué dice ___? (What does ___ say?) is used to ask about the content of a document, sign, message, or statement. Decir la verdad (to tell the truth) and decir mentiras (to tell lies) are essential paired expressions. ¡Cómo se llama / Cómo se dice often appear together in workplace contexts when learning names or vocabulary. Mastering these phrases makes you immediately functional in any Spanish-speaking environment.
Listen to each sentence in Spanish, then repeat aloud during the countdown pause.
Sentences 1–5 drill the four conjugated forms of decir with decir + que for reporting information. Sentences 6–10 contrast decir and hablar in paired sentences showing the same situation with each verb. Sentences 11–15 practice decir + indirect object pronouns (le digo, me dice, nos dice, les decimos) across all forms. Sentences 16–20 use the common fixed phrases: ¿Cómo se dice?, ¿Qué dice?, digo que sí/no, decir la verdad. Sentences 21–25 combine decir with verbs from earlier chapters — poder, ir, hacer, querer — in realistic multi-verb professional sentences.
Step 1 — Two-layer check: Before repeating, identify the subject. If yo → digo (both patterns). If usted/ustedes → dice/dicen (e→i only). If nosotros → decimos (no change). Confirm aloud: “digo — dice — decimos — dicen.”
Step 2 — Decir vs. hablar trigger: When you hear a sentence with speaking, pause and ask: is there specific content? If yes, it should be decir. If it is general ability or conversation, it should be hablar. Build this habit during every shadow cycle.
Step 3 — Pronoun + verb unit: For sentences with indirect object pronouns, listen for the unit le digo / me dice / nos dice / les decimos as a single chunk. Say the pronoun and verb together without a pause between them.
The decir four chant: Say all four forms rapidly until automatic: digo — dice — decimos — dicen. Then layer the indirect object pronouns: yo le digo — usted me dice — nosotros les decimos — ustedes nos dicen. This eight-beat sequence drills both the conjugation and the pronoun pairing together.
Decir que + message drill: Practice five professional messages using digo que: (1) digo que el reporte está listo (2) digo que la reunión es a las tres (3) digo que el proyecto avanza bien (4) digo que necesitamos más tiempo (5) digo que sí, acepto. These five cover the most common professional reporting situations.
¿Cómo se dice? in action: Every time you do not know a Spanish word during the day, say the full phrase aloud: ¿Cómo se dice “___” en español? Then look it up and answer: Se dice “___”. Making this a real habit turns a grammar phrase into a living communication tool.
Choose the correct answer. 20 questions drawn randomly from a pool of 30.