lo digo en serio
/lo diɡo en seɾjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I really mean it" can be translated into Spanish as lo digo en serio.
This phrase is used to emphasize that you are being sincere and are not joking about what you have said. Another common way to express this same sincerity is lo digo de verdad.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lo digo en serio literally translates to "I say it in seriousness".
Which one should you use?
While lo digo en serio emphasizes the sincerity of your statement, the alternative estoy hablando en serio (I am speaking seriously) is often used to emphasize the gravity or lack of joking in the current conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase lo digo en serio, the word digo is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb decir (to say).
How do you pronounce it?
/lo diɡo en seɾjo/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, if someone responds to lo digo en serio with ¡Vete a paseo!, they are not telling you to take a walk but are dismissively saying 'Get lost'.
- In a playful or flirtatious context, a Spanish speaker might respond to lo digo en serio with ¡No me digas!, which literally means 'don't tell me' but actually functions as 'no way' or 'you're kidding'.
- While you might use lo digo en serio to prove you are not joking, a Spaniard might instead say te lo digo de corazón to show they mean it from the bottom of their heart.
Examples in context
- Le aseguro que en serio lo digo, estoy dispuesto a hacer todo lo posible para resolver este problema.I assure you that I seriously mean it, I am willing to do everything possible to resolve this problem.
- Señor García, lo digo con toda sinceridad, su trabajo es impecable y estamos realmente impresionados.Mr. Garcia, I say it with all sincerity, your work is impeccable and we are truly impressed.
- Querida señora López, que conste que hablo en serio cuando digo que usted es una gran inspiración para todos nosotros.Dear Mrs. Lopez, let it be known that I speak seriously when I say that you are a great inspiration to all of us.
- ¡Te lo prometo, lo digo de verdad! No hay nadie más importante para mí que tú.I promise you, I mean it! There is no one more important to me than you.
- Te ayudaré con la mudanza, lo digo en serio.I will help you with the move, I really mean it.
- No es una broma, lo digo en serio.It is not a joke, I really mean it.
- Quiero cambiar de vida, lo digo en serio.I want to change my life, I really mean it.
Example conversation
Alejandro is offering to pay for dinner.
- AlejandroYo pago la cena hoy, lo digo en serio.I'll pay for dinner today, I really mean it.
- ElenaNo es necesario, Alejandro.It's not necessary, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo importa, quiero invitarte.It doesn't matter, I want to invite you.
- ElenaEstá bien, muchas gracias.Alright, thank you very much.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
