no digas más
/no diɡas mas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "say less" can be translated into Spanish as no digas más.
This expression is used to tell someone that you already understand and they do not need to explain further.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the informal phrases menos palabreo (less babbling) or menos cháchara (less chit-chat).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone formally or an elder, you should use the form no diga más instead of no digas más.
How do you pronounce it?
/no diɡas mas/
Did you know?
- The word más in this phrase shares an ancient root with the English word 'master', as both stem from the Latin 'magister'.
- In Caribbean Spanish, using the word palabreo in the phrase menos palabreo can specifically imply that the speaker thinks the other person is using smooth talk or manipulation to mislead them.
- If a story is becoming too predictable or you suspect the news is bad, a Spanish speaker might use no me cuentes más instead of no digas más.
Examples in context
- Le sugiero que limite sus palabrasI suggest you limit your words
- No digas más, yo me encargo de todo.Say less, I will take care of everything.
- Entiendo perfectamente, no digas más.I understand perfectly, say less.
- No digas más, ya sé lo que tienes que hacer.Say less, I already know what you have to do.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are planning a surprise party.
- JavierLucía, necesito que compres el pastel hoy.Lucía, I need you to buy the cake today.
- LucíaNo digas más, yo lo compro ahora mismo.Say less, I'll buy it right now.
- JavierGracias, que sea de chocolate.Thanks, make sure it's chocolate.
- LucíaCuenta con ello, Javier.You can count on it, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
