decir
/deˈθiɾ/
The English verb 'tell' is translated into Spanish as decir. Wiktionary also lists contar and recontar.
Meaning: to pass information (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| decir | /deˈθiɾ/ /deˈsiɾ/ |
| contar | /konˈtaɾ/ |
| recontar | /rekonˈtaɾ/ |
| devisar | /debiˈsaɾ/ |
To pass information, Spanish offers different verbs depending on the nature of the information. Use decir when the focus is on the specific information or words being conveyed. Use contar when the focus is on narrating a sequence of events, such as a story, a joke or a secret.
Which one should you use?
decir is used for saying or telling specific pieces of information. In contrast, contar is used for telling stories, jokes or secrets that involve narration.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb decir is often used with indirect object pronouns like le or te to indicate who is being told, as seen in the form decirle (to tell him/her/you).
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈθiɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, decir is used in the phrase ¿Qué me dices?, which doesn't just mean 'What are you telling me?' but acts as an expression of shock like 'You don't say!'
- The Spanish word for 'to tell' or 'to say', decir, actually comes from a root meaning 'to show' or 'to point out'.
- While contar means 'to tell' or 'to count', it also appears in the phrase contar con, which means 'to rely on' someone or something.
Examples in context
- No sé qué decirte.I don't know what to tell you.This sentence shows how to express a lack of knowledge about what to say to someone using decir.Tatoeba #2094476 by Shishir, translation #2094472 by LanguageExpert
- Te lo iba a decir.I was going to tell you.This sentence uses decir to express a prior intention to tell someone something.Tatoeba #4551457 by Shishir, translation #3200045 by CK
- No te quería decir.I didn't want to tell you.This sentence uses decir to express a lack of desire to tell someone something.Tatoeba #2033214 by marcelostockle, translation #2033189 by CK
- Le dije a mi jefe que llegaré temprano mañana.I told my boss that I will arrive early tomorrow.
- El doctor me informó sobre los resultados de los análisis.The doctor told me about the test results.
- Por favor, comuníqueme si hay alguna novedad.Please tell me if there are any updates.
- ¡Cuéntame todo lo que pasó en la fiesta!Tell me everything that happened at the party!
- Dígame la fecha límite de entrega del proyecto.Tell me the project's deadline.
- ¡Dime la verdad, no quiero más mentiras!Tell me the truth, I don't want more lies!
- 828 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about a secret.
- MateoTengo que decirte algo importante.I have to tell you something important.
- MaríaDímelo ahora, por favor.Tell it to me now, please.
- MateoNo lo puedo decir aquí.I cannot tell it here.
- MaríaEntonces vamos a otro lugar.Then let's go somewhere else.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tell” translations and entries decir, contar, recontar, devisar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contar, decir, recontar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
