Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| me lo pido | /me lo pido/ (from spelling rules) |
| es mío | /es mio/ (from spelling rules) |
| lo clamo primero | /lo klamo pɾimeɾo/ (from spelling rules) |
| me lo reservo | /me lo ɾeseɾbo/ (from spelling rules) |
This phrase is used to reserve the right to something before anyone else. You can also use related verbs like pedir, clamar or reservar to express this intent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me lo pido literally translates to 'I ask/claim it for myself'.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, different forms can be used: es mío, lo clamo primero and me lo reservo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Me lo pido is the most common informal way to say 'dibs' in a social setting. Other informal ways to claim something include ¡Me toca! to express it is your turn, or ¡Yo primero! which translates to 'me first' to indicate you want to do or have something before others.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression ¡Me lo pido! is used colloquially to say dibs or to stake your claim on something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun in the phrase must match the gender of the object you are claiming. While me lo pido is used for a masculine object, you must change the pronoun 'lo' to 'la' to say me la pido if the object is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/me lo pido/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers may use me lo reservo in a more formal or semi-formal context, such as claiming a seat at a conference, where me lo pido would sound too childish.
- The word mío in the phrase es mío shares a common ancestor with the English word 'my', both stemming from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European roots.
Examples in context
- Me lo pido.Dibs.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase me lo pido.Tatoeba #12286476 by Seael, translation #2453188 by fenfang557
- ¡Me lo pido, ese es el último trozo de pastel!Dibs, that is the last piece of cake!
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are choosing seats in a movie theater.
- Elena¡Me lo pido, quiero el asiento de la primera fila!Dibs, I want the seat in the front row!
- DanielNo seas tan rápida, Elena.Don't be so fast, Elena.
- Elena¡Pero si yo lo dije primero!But I said it first!
- DanielEstá bien, tú ganas.Alright, you win.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dibs” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, lo, me, mío, primero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
