How to Say “Do You Know What I’m Saying?” in Spanish

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¿Sabes lo que te digo?
/ˈsabes lo ke te ˈdiɡo/word by word
The English phrase "do you know what I'm saying?" is translated into Spanish as ¿Sabes lo que te digo?
This phrase is used to check if the listener understands the information being shared. In many Spanish-speaking regions, this phrase is often used as a rhetorical filler or a way to emphasize a point rather than a literal inquiry into the listener's knowledge.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of sabes (you know), lo que (that which), te (to you) and digo (I say/tell).

Which one should you use?

While ¿Sabes lo que te digo? checks if the listener knows the content of your words, ¿Me entiendes? is a more direct way to check if the listener is following your logic or comprehension. Using the continuous form 'estoy diciendo' instead of 'digo' places more emphasis on the act of speaking happening right now, as in ¿Sabes lo que te estoy diciendo? Additionally, ¿Comprende lo que quiero decir? means "Do you comprehend what I mean?"

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For a polite way to inquire if your message is clear, use the formal ¿Entiende lo que estoy diciendo? To use this phrase in a formal setting, change the second person singular sabes to sabe and the object pronoun te to le, resulting in ¿Sabe lo que le digo? For informal conversations, you may also use ¿Sabes lo que quiero decir? to mean "Do you know what I mean?" or ¿Entiendes lo que te digo? as an informal way to ask someone if they understand what you are telling them.

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈsabes lo ke te ˈdiɡo/

Did you know?

  • Depending on the region, a listener might respond to this question with a simple ya, which means 'already' but functions here as 'I get it'.
  • The word que in this phrase is a distant relative of the English word 'who'. Both descended from the same Proto-Indo-European root used to ask questions.
  • In some cultures, repeatedly asking ¿Sabes lo que te digo? can be perceived as condescending, as it may imply the listener is struggling to keep up.

Example conversation

Mateo is explaining a complicated plan to Sofía.

  1. Mateo

    Tenemos que terminar el proyecto mañana, ¿sabes lo que te digo?
    We have to finish the project tomorrow, do you know what I'm saying?
  2. Sofía

    Sí, Mateo, lo entiendo perfectamente.
    Yes, Mateo, I understand perfectly.
  3. Mateo

    Entonces, empezaremos a trabajar ahora mismo.
    Then, we will start working right now.
  4. Sofía

    De acuerdo, pongámonos manos a la obra.
    Agreed, let's get to work.

Sources

  • IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sabes, lo, que, te, digo) and can differ in connected speech.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries digo, lo, que, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Nancy Marlene
Nancy MarleneHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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