quiero decir
/kjeɾo deθiɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I want to say' is translated into Spanish as quiero decir.
In spoken Spanish, quiero decir is frequently used as a filler or a way to correct oneself, functioning similarly to the English 'I mean'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero (I want) and decir (to say/to tell).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use Quiero comentarte to mean 'I want to comment to you' or Quiero decirte algo to mean 'I want to tell you something'. In Spain, you may use Me gustaría decir to mean 'I would like to say' or the informal Quiero decirte to mean 'I want to tell you'.
How do you pronounce it?
/kjeɾo deθiɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase decir is used in the idiom decir blanco donde es negro, meaning to insist something is one way when it is obviously another.
- The root of decir comes from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to show' or 'point out'. In its earliest form, speaking was conceptualized as physically pointing to something.
- In Spanish, decir is used in the phrase decir que no, which can mean not just 'to say no' but 'to refuse' a request or an invitation entirely.
Examples in context
- Te quiero decir algo.I want to say something to you.This sentence shows how to use quiero decir to express wanting to say something to someone.Tatoeba #1402305 by marcelostockle, translation #961016 by Adou_Fr
- Quiero decir una cosa.I want to say one thing.This sentence demonstrates using quiero decir to state a single thing.Tatoeba #2165470 by hayastan, translation #2011914 by CK
- Lo que quiero decir es esto.What I want to say is this.This sentence shows how to use quiero decir to clarify a specific point.Tatoeba #1082732 by Shishir, translation #250789 by Dejo
- Quiero decir algo importanteI want to say something important
- Me gustaría expresar mi gratitudI would like to express my gratitude
- Quisiera decirte lo que piensoI would like to tell you what I think
- Quiero decir algo importante para míI want to say something important to me
- Me gustaría expresar mi más sincero agradecimientoI would like to express my sincere appreciation
- Quisiera decirte cuánto te admiroI would like to tell you how much I admire you
- Quiero decirte que siempre contarás conmigoI want to tell you that you can always count on me
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are having a serious talk in a café.
- ElenaAlejandro, quiero decir algo importante.Alejandro, I want to say something important.
- Alejandro¿Qué pasa, Elena?What is happening, Elena?
- ElenaNo sé cómo empezar.I don't know how to start.
- AlejandroPuedes decirme la verdad.You can tell me the truth.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quiero decir, 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 decir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
