dicho
/ˈdit͡ʃo/
The English word "told" is translated into Spanish as dicho.
dicho is the past participle of the verb decir (to say/tell). In Spanish, the distinction between "say" and "tell" is often collapsed into the single verb decir, so dicho can mean both "said" or "told". Additionally, dicho can function as a noun meaning "a saying" or "a proverb".
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective to modify a feminine noun, the form changes its gender to dicha.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈditʃo/
Did you know?
- If a Spanish speaker says está dicho, they aren't just saying something was 'told'. They are using it as a final command to mean 'it is settled' or 'the matter is closed'.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase dicho y hecho to describe something that happens immediately after it is mentioned. It is the equivalent of the English phrase 'no sooner said than done'.
- The Latin root of dicho, *dictus*, is the same root that gives us English words like 'dictate' and 'dictionary'.
Examples in context
- Me lo han dicho.They told me.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use dicho in the phrase "They told me".Tatoeba #1908456 by Shishir, translation #13875982 by rul
- Lo he dicho todo.I told everything.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use dicho in the phrase "I told everything".Tatoeba #1006139 by hayastan, translation #10761185 by Balamax
- ¿Qué le has dicho?What have you told him?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use dicho in the phrase "What have you told him?"Tatoeba #5023227 by don_ramon, translation #3905249 by CH
- Le dije que llegaría tarde.I told him/her that I would arrive late.
- Lo informé sobre el cambio de planes.I informed him/her about the change of plans.
- Le comuniqué la noticia de inmediato.I communicated the news to him/her immediately.
- Le dije a mi mejor amigo que vendría a la fiesta.I told my best friend that I would come to the party.
- Le conté la historia completa.I told him/her the whole story.
- Le manifesté mi preocupación por la situación.I told him/her about my concern regarding the situation.
- Le expresé mis opiniones sobre el tema.I told him/her my opinions on the matter.
- 257 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a piece of news at home.
- Alejandro¿Te ha dicho algo Juan?Has Juan told you anything?
- ElenaNo, no me ha dicho nada.No, he hasn't told me anything.
- AlejandroEs que me lo ha dicho esta mañana.It's just that he told me this morning.
- Elena¡Pues dímelo tú ahora!Well, tell me now!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dicho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dicho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
