cómo se dice
/komo se diθe/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'how do you say' is cómo se dice.
This phrase is used to ask for the translation of a word or expression. You can use ¿Cómo se dice en español? to specifically ask how to say something in Spanish, or follow the pattern ¿Cómo se dice [word] en [language]? to ask how a specific word is translated into another language. For example, you can ask ¿Cómo se dice XXX en inglés? to find out how to say something in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'how it is said'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the reflexive pronoun se to create an impersonal construction.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ¿Cómo dices…? to ask for a translation. English speakers often make this mistake, but it sounds more like you are asking 'How are you saying [this]?' rather than asking for the translation.
Did you know?
- The word se is a linguistic relative of the Portuguese lhe and the Italian gli.
- The construction cómo se dice functions as a passive reflexive, a tool Spanish uses to describe an action while omitting the person performing it.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo se dice eso?How do you say that?This sentence is useful for asking how to say something that is not immediately clear.Tatoeba #1429403 by marcelostockle, translation #759355 by vgigregg
- ¿Cómo se dice esta palabra?How do you say this word?This sentence is useful for asking how to say a specific word.Tatoeba #7056470 by tulakalbeyo, translation #387499 by Mouseneb
- ¿Cómo se dice XXX en inglés?How do you say XXX in English?This sentence is useful for asking how to translate a specific term into English.Tatoeba #9434889 by ignacio, translation #3789754 by Ricardo14
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are studying together in a library.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿cómo se dice 'apple' en español?Daniel, how do you say 'apple' in Spanish?
- DanielSe dice 'manzana'.You say 'manzana'.
- LucíaGracias, ¿y cómo se dice 'bread'?Thanks, and how do you say 'bread'?
- DanielSe dice 'pan'.You say 'pan'.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
