The ins and outs of Decir Conjugation in Spanish

Understanding decir conjugation is crucial for Spanish learners. This irregular verb, meaning “to say” or “to tell,” is one of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish. In this guide, we’ll explore the various conjugations and uses of “decir,” helping you incorporate it confidently into your Spanish conversations.

What is Decir?

“Decir” is an irregular Spanish verb that plays a vital role in everyday communication. It’s used to:

1. Report speech or thoughts
2. Express opinions
3. Give instructions or advice

Present Tense Decir Conjugation

The present tense of “decir” is irregular, with stem changes in most forms:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	digo
Tú	dices
Él/Ella/Usted	dice
Nosotros/Nosotras	decimos
Vosotros/Vosotras	decís
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	dicen

Example: “Yo digo la verdad” (I tell the truth)

Past Tense Decir Conjugations

Preterite (Simple Past)

The preterite of “decir” is highly irregular:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	dije
Tú	dijiste
Él/Ella/Usted	dijo
Nosotros/Nosotras	dijimos
Vosotros/Vosotras	dijisteis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	dijeron

Example: “Ella me dijo la verdad ayer” (She told me the truth yesterday)

Imperfect

The imperfect of “decir” is regular:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	decía
Tú	decías
Él/Ella/Usted	decía
Nosotros/Nosotras	decíamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	decíais
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	decían

Example: “Siempre decía la verdad” (He/She always told the truth)

Future Tense

The future tense of “decir” uses the stem “dir-“:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	diré
Tú	dirás
Él/Ella/Usted	dirá
Nosotros/Nosotras	diremos
Vosotros/Vosotras	diréis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	dirán

Example: “Te diré la verdad mañana” (I’ll tell you the truth tomorrow)

Conditional Tense

The conditional tense also uses the stem “dir-“:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	diría
Tú	dirías
Él/Ella/Usted	diría
Nosotros/Nosotras	diríamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	diríais
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	dirían

Example: “Yo diría que es una buena idea” (I would say it’s a good idea)

Subjunctive Mood

Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive uses the stem “dig-“:

Subject	Conjugation
Yo	diga
Tú	digas
Él/Ella/Usted	diga
Nosotros/Nosotras	digamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	digáis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	digan

Example: “Espero que me digas la verdad” (I hope you tell me the truth)

Imperative (Command) Form

Subject	Conjugation
Tú	di
Usted	diga
Nosotros/Nosotras	digamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	decid
Ustedes	digan

Example: “Di la verdad” (Tell the truth - informal)

Common Phrases with Decir

1. Decir que sí/no: To say yes/no Example: “Dije que sí a la invitación” (I said yes to the invitation)

2. Querer decir: To mean Example: “¿Qué quieres decir con eso?” (What do you mean by that?)

3. Es decir: That is to say Example: “Es un lingüista, es decir, estudia idiomas” (He’s a linguist, that is to say, he studies languages)

4. Se dice que: It is said that Example: “Se dice que va a llover mañana” (It is said that it’s going to rain tomorrow)

Idiomatic Expressions

• “Dicho y hecho” - No sooner said than done
• “Decir por decir” - To speak without thinking
• “Decir a boca llena” - To say openly or proudly

Tips for Mastering Decir Conjugation

1. Pay attention to the stem changes: “dec-” to “dig-” in some forms, and “dir-” in future and conditional tenses.
2. Practice the irregular preterite forms frequently.
3. Use “decir” with indirect objects to indicate to whom something is said: “Le dije la verdad” (I told him/her the truth).
4. Remember that the past participle of “decir” is “dicho,” used in perfect tenses: “He dicho la verdad” (I have told the truth).

Usage Notes

1. “Decir” is often used to introduce direct quotes: “Él dijo: ‘Estoy cansado’” (He said, “I’m tired”).
2. The reflexive form “decirse” can mean “to be said” or “to tell oneself”: “Se dice que es peligroso” (It is said that it’s dangerous).
3. “Decir” can be used with “que” to report speech indirectly: “Dijo que vendría” (He said he would come).

Conclusion

Mastering decir conjugation is a significant step in your Spanish language journey. While its irregularities may seem challenging at first, consistent practice and exposure to the language will help you internalize its usage. Remember, “decir” is all about communication, so think of it as your “expression” verb in Spanish. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using “decir” with confidence in your Spanish conversations!