dime la verdad
/dime la beɾdad/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "tell me the truth" is dime la verdad.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to be honest and provide the actual facts about a situation. While la verdad typically refers to the truth as an abstract concept, you might occasionally hear the plural las verdades if the speaker is asking for all the specific facts or details of a matter.
What does it mean word for word?
dime la verdad is composed of the imperative verb di (tell), the indirect object pronoun me (to me), the definite article la (the) and the noun verdad (truth).
Which one should you use?
If you wish to imply a request for a multitude of specific details or facts, you can use the plural form dime las verdades.
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice between dime and dígame depends on the level of formality: dime is the informal tú form, while dígame is the formal usted form. Additionally, changing la verdad to the plural las verdades shifts the focus from the abstract concept of truth to the specific details of a situation.
How do you pronounce it?
/dime la beɾdad/
Did you know?
- The phrase verdad? is frequently added to the end of sentences as a tag question, functioning like 'right?' or 'isn't that so?' in English.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying decir las verdades can imply a confrontation where someone speaks blunt or harsh truths to another person's face.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person might say la verdad at the beginning of a sentence not to tell the truth, but as a filler word similar to the English 'actually' or 'to be honest'.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría decirme la verdad sobre lo que pasó anoche?Could you tell me the truth about what happened last night?
- Señor, me gustaría que me dijera la verdad sobre el informe.Sir, I would like you to tell me the truth about the report.
- Dime la verdad, ¿fuiste tú quien rompió el jarrón?Tell me the truth, were you the one who broke the vase?
- Cuéntame la verdad, ¿qué piensas realmente sobre el asunto?Tell me the truth, what do you really think about the matter?
- Dime la verdad sobre lo que pasó.Tell me the truth about what happened.
- Por favor, dime la verdad ahora.Please, tell me the truth now.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about a broken vase.
- Javier¿Rompiste tú el jarrón?Did you break the vase?
- MaríaNo estoy segura de qué decir.I am not sure what to say.
- JavierSolo dime la verdad, María.Just tell me the truth, María.
- MaríaLo siento, fue un accidente.I'm sorry, it was an accident.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
