él dice
/el diθe/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "he says" is él dice.
él dice is used to report words that a male person is currently speaking or to describe what he generally states.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun él (he) and the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb decir (to say/tell), which is dice.
Which one should you use?
While él dice is used for reporting general statements or current speech, él está diciendo is used specifically for the continuous action of him saying something right now.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb dice is the present tense form used for third-person singular subjects, such as he, she, it or a person's name.
How do you pronounce it?
/el diθe/
Did you know?
- In natural conversation, Spanish speakers usually drop the él and simply say dice. Using the pronoun is often reserved for when the speaker needs to emphasize that *he* specifically is the one saying it.
- While él dice reports speech, Spanish uses the same verb decir for 'telling' a lie (decir una mentira) or 'telling' the truth (decir la verdad), whereas English uses two different verbs for saying and telling.
- The pronoun él actually descends from the Latin word 'ille', which originally meant 'that one' rather than 'he'.
Examples in context
- Creo lo que él dice.I believe what he says.This sentence is useful for expressing belief in what is being said by using él dice.Tatoeba #1439462 by marcelostockle, translation #260596 by CK
- Lo que él dice es cierto.What he says is true.This sentence is useful for affirming the truth of what is said by using él dice.Tatoeba #2201616 by marcelostockle, translation #286052 by CK
- Él dice que no va a venir.He says he won't come.This sentence is useful for reporting a refusal or a specific statement using él dice.Tatoeba #1490468 by marcelostockle, translation #304542 by CK
- Él dice que va a llegar tarde a la reunión.He says he will be late for the meeting.
- Afirma él que el informe está listo para entregar.He says that the report is ready to be submitted.
- Él dice que el concierto estuvo increíble.He says the concert was amazing.
- Dice él que nos encontraremos en el café.He says we will meet at the café.
- ¿Él dice eso?Does he say that?
- Él dice que va a llamarte más tarde.He says he will call you later.
- Afirma él que el proyecto estará listo para la próxima semana.He says the project will be ready by next week.
- Él dice que no puede asistir a la reunión.He says he can't attend the meeting.
- Dice él que quiere ir al cine esta noche.He says he wants to go to the movies tonight.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a colleague at work.
- Elena¿Qué hace el jefe?What is the boss doing?
- DanielÉl dice que terminaremos pronto.He says that we will finish soon.
- ElenaMe alegra que él diga eso.I am glad he says that.
- DanielSí, él es muy amable.Yes, he is very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries él, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
