di esto
/di esto/from spelling rules
To say "say this" in Spanish, use di esto.
This phrase is an imperative used to tell someone to speak specific words.
What does it mean word for word?
The word di is the imperative form of decir (to say) and esto means this.
Which one should you use?
Use di esto when speaking informally to friends, family or children (tú form).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase di esto is a command. To use the infinitive "to say this", use decir esto. If you are speaking to someone formally (using usted), you should use diga esto instead of di esto.
How do you pronounce it?
/di esto/
Did you know?
- The command di originates from the Latin word 'dicere', which is the ancestor of the English word 'diction'.
- In Spanish, the act of 'saying' something can be expressed using decir, but if you are 'saying' a prayer or a poem, speakers often use rezar or recitar instead.
- The word esto is a neuter pronoun, meaning it is used for abstract concepts or unknown objects rather than specific masculine or feminine nouns.
Examples in context
- Diga esto en voz alta.Say this out loud.
- Comunique esto a todo el personal.Communicate this to all staff members.
- ¡Di esto rápido!Say this quickly!
- Di esto: 'Hola, ¿cómo estás?'Say this: 'Hello, how are you?'
- Por favor, di esto a tu jefe.Please, say this to your boss.
- No me importa, solo di esto.I don't care, just say this.
Example conversation
Javier is helping María practice a phrase for her trip.
- JavierPara pedir el menú, di esto: ¿me trae la carta?To ask for the menu, say this: can you bring me the menu?
- María¿Me trae la carta?Can you bring me the menu?
- Javier¡Perfecto! Lo dijiste muy bien, María.Perfect! You said it very well, María.
- MaríaGracias, Javier. Me siento más segura ahora.Thanks, Javier. I feel more confident now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, esto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
