dilo
/dilo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "say it" is translated into Spanish as dilo.
dilo is an imperative used to tell someone to speak or express something.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dilo is a combination of the imperative command di (say) and the direct object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
dígalo is the formal version of dilo, used when addressing someone as usted instead of tú. díganlo is the plural imperative form used when telling a group of people to say it.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use dime instead of dímelo in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the thing being said is a feminine noun, the pronoun changes from lo to la, resulting in dila.
How do you pronounce it?
/dilo/
Did you know?
- The command di is an irregular imperative of decir that shares the same form as the present tense of dar (to give), meaning context is the only way to tell if you are being told to 'say' or 'give'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone is hesitant to 'say it', a listener might use the phrase suéltalo to urge them to 'release' the information, treating a secret like a physical object.
- While dilo means 'say it', the phrase dilo con letras is a common idiom used to tell someone to be explicit or to spell out exactly what they mean.
Examples in context
- Dilo de nuevo, por favor.Say it once again, please.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to repeat something using dilo.Tatoeba #2216402 by marcelostockle, translation #10706793 by carlosalberto
- Dilo claramente en voz alta.Say it clearly in a loud voice.This sentence shows how to use dilo to request that something be spoken clearly and loudly.Tatoeba #4566639 by cueyayotl, translation #435404 by CK
- Si tienes algo que decir, dilo.If you've got something to say, say it.This sentence demonstrates using dilo when someone has something they need to express.Tatoeba #2062981 by lazarus1907, translation #2062969 by CK
- Dímelo, ¿qué piensas de esta película?Say it, what do you think of this movie?
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to get María to admit her secret.
- MateoSé que tienes un secreto.I know you have a secret.
- MaríaNo es nada importante.It is nothing important.
- Mateo¡Dilo de una vez!Say it once and for all!
- MaríaEstá bien, te lo diré.Fine, I will tell you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
