What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cómo se dice literally means "how is it said". It uses the impersonal reflexive form of the verb decir.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often say 'How do you say…', the Spanish phrase uses the impersonal se (how is it said) rather than a direct second-person 'you'. Using the verb traducir (to translate) is a slightly more formal alternative to decir (to say) in the phrase ¿Cómo se traduce [word] al español? (How is [word] translated into Spanish?).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase as a question, it is standard to include the opening inverted question mark (¿) at the beginning.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the reflexive pronoun se, but cómo dice (without se) would mean "how does he/she say", which changes the intended meaning.
Did you know?
- The word español likely comes from a Punic word meaning 'coast of hyraxes'.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola! ¿Puedes ayudarme? ¿Cómo se dice "delicious" en español?Hello! Can you help me? How do you say "delicious" in Spanish?
- Oye, ¿cómo se dice "party" en español?Hey, how do you say "party" in Spanish?
- ¡Hola! ¿Cómo se dice "awesome" en español, tío?Hello! How do you say "awesome" in Spanish, dude?
- ¿Cómo se dice en español "apple"?How do you say "apple" in Spanish?
- ¿Cómo se dice en español "thank you"?How do you say "thank you" in Spanish?
Example conversation
María and Mateo are studying together in a cafe.
- MaríaMateo, ¿cómo se dice en español "book"?Mateo, how do you say "book" in Spanish?
- MateoSe dice "libro".You say "libro".
- MaríaGracias, ¿y cómo se dice en español "pen"?Thanks, and how do you say "pen" in Spanish?
- MateoSe dice "bolígrafo".You say "bolígrafo".
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, en, español, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
