cómo se dice en inglés
/komo se diθe en inɡles/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "how to say in English" is cómo se dice en inglés.
This phrase is used to ask for the English translation of a word or expression. While it can be used as a statement of intent, it is most commonly used as a question by adding an opening question mark at the beginning and a closing question mark at the end (¿Cómo se dice en inglés?). To ask how to say a specific word, you can use the structure ¿Cómo se dice en inglés "X"?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how it is said in English" because se dice is the impersonal reflexive form of decir (to say).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, ¿Cómo se dice en inglés? is used to say "how to say in English" and ¿Cuál es la traducción al inglés? is used to say "what is the translation to English?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask for the translation of a specific word, you insert the word you are curious about between dice and en, following the pattern cómo se dice [word] en inglés.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say cómo decir en inglés by using the infinitive. Instead, you should use the natural reflexive form se dice.
Did you know?
- The word inglés is a linguistic traveler that entered Spanish through Old French, rather than coming directly from English.
- While cómo se dice refers to the act of speaking, the word decir is used in Spanish to express things that English would translate as 'to tell' or 'to say' without a distinct grammatical difference.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo se dice en inglés 'hola'?How do you say 'hello' in English?
- ¿Cómo se dice en inglés "library"?How do you say "library" in English?
- No sé cómo se dice en inglés.I don't know how to say it in English.
- Dime cómo se dice en inglés esta palabra.Tell me how to say this word in English.
Example conversation
Javier is studying for an English exam and asks María for help.
- JavierMaría, ¿cómo se dice en inglés "ventana"?María, how do you say "window" in English?
- MaríaSe dice "window".You say "window".
- JavierGracias, ¿y cómo se dice en inglés "puerta"?Thanks, and how do you say "door" in English?
- MaríaSe dice "door".You say "door".
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, en, inglés, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
