Decir (to say) · Present
By TutorLily Editorial Team · Last updated
Decir in the Spanish present (presente) is: yo digo, tú dices, él/ella/usted dice, nosotros/as decimos, vosotros/as decís, ellos/ellas/ustedes dicen. The present of decir combines two irregularities: the yo form 'digo' (with an inserted 'g') and an e→i stem change in the stressed forms (dices, dice, dicen). Nosotros and vosotros keep the 'e' (decimos, decís).
| To Say | Decir |
|---|---|
| I say | yo digo |
| you say | tú dices |
| he/she says | él/ella/usted dice |
| we say | nosotros/as decimos |
| you say | vosotros/as decís |
| they say | ellos/ellas/ustedes dicen |
Decir (to say) in context
Sentences that use decir in the present. Tap each to hear it.
I always say what I think.
What do you say about the news?
My grandmother says it will rain.
We always tell the truth.
You say very funny things.
The news says it will be hot.
Working with the present
Spanish uses the present tense more broadly than English does. "Estudio español" can mean "I study Spanish," "I am studying Spanish," or "I do study Spanish" — context decides. The biggest stumbling block for English speakers is the yo form of irregular verbs (hago, tengo, doy, voy, soy). Memorise those individually; the other persons usually follow regular patterns.
Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate decir in the present tense?
What's the difference between decir and hablar?
Why does the yo form 'digo' have a 'g'?
Practice Decir (To Say) in real conversations
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