ella dice
/eʝa diθe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "she says" is translated into Spanish as ella dice.
ella dice is the standard way to report that a female person is speaking or stating something.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, the subject pronoun ella is often omitted if the context makes it clear who is speaking. In such cases, dice alone can mean "she says".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dice is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb decir. When using ella dice to report a statement, the conjunction que is typically used to introduce the reported clause, much like the word "that" in English. To change the phrase to the past tense "she said", use the preterite form ella dijo. To express that she used to say something habitually in the past or was in the middle of saying something, use the imperfect form ella decía.
How do you pronounce it?
/eʝa diθe/
Did you know?
- The phrase ella dice can be used ironically in Spanish to report something that is widely known as a rumor, often implying that the speaker does not actually believe the information.
- While ella dice reports a statement, using the verb decir in the phrase me dices can actually function as a request for information, similar to saying 'let me know'.
- The word ella comes from the Latin word illa, which was the feminine form of ille.
Examples in context
- Ella dice que vendrá.She says she will come.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ella dice to report a future intention.Tatoeba #499608 by Shishir, translation #310777 by CK
- Ella dice que es feliz.She says that she is happy.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ella dice to report a state of being.Tatoeba #1459998 by marcelostockle, translation #313572 by CK
- Ella dice que vio algo más.She says she saw something else.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ella dice to report a past action.Tatoeba #13655738 by Seael, translation #7399600 by CH
- Ella dice que llegará tarde a la reunión.She says she will arrive late to the meeting.
- Ella dice que no podrá asistir a la fiesta.She says she won't be able to attend the party.
- Ella dice que estarán aquí en cinco minutos.She says they will be here in five minutes.
- Ella dice: "Voy a llegar tarde."She says, "I am going to be late."
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a coworker.
- María¿Qué hace la nueva empleada?What is the new employee doing?
- JavierElla dice que está muy cansada.She says that she is very tired.
- MaríaElla dice eso muy seguido.She says that very often.
- JavierSí, es verdad.Yes, it is true.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
