dímelo otra vez
/dimelo otɾa beθ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tell me again" is translated into Spanish as dímelo otra vez.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to repeat information they have already said.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dímelo otra vez literally means "tell me it again". It is composed of the imperative verb di (tell), the indirect object pronoun me (to me), the direct object pronoun lo (it) and the phrase otra vez (another time/again).
Which one should you use?
While dímelo otra vez is the standard form, you can also use dímelo de nuevo by replacing otra vez with de nuevo, which is a common and interchangeable way to express "again" in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To maintain formality when addressing someone as usted, you must change the imperative verb from di to diga, resulting in dígamelo otra vez.
Did you know?
- While dímelo otra vez is a request for repetition, Spanish speakers often use ¿Cómo? or Mande instead of a full sentence. In Mexico, Mande is a culturally ingrained way to say 'tell me again' that signals respect to the speaker.
- The word vez comes from the Latin 'vicis', meaning 'change' or 'alternation'. This is the same root that gives English the word 'vice versa', which literally means 'the position being changed'.
- In some Spanish dialects, if you say dímelo otra vez with a specific rising intonation, it can shift from a polite request to a challenge. It can imply 'I cannot believe you just said that, say it again so I can react'.
Examples in context
- No entendí, dímelo otra vez.I didn't understand, tell me again.
Example conversation
Mateo missed a detail in a story Lucía is telling.
- MateoNo escuché la última parte.I didn't hear the last part.
- LucíaDije que llegamos a las ocho.I said we arrived at eight.
- MateoPerdón, dímelo otra vez, por favor.Sorry, tell me again, please.
- LucíaClaro, llegamos a las ocho.Sure, we arrived at eight.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
