lo que dices
/lo ke diθes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "what you say" is translated into Spanish as lo que dices.
This phrase is used when "what" functions as a noun phrase meaning "the thing that".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lo (the thing), que (that) and dices (you say).
Which one should you use?
Use lo que dices when "what" refers to a specific thing or concept (the thing that). Do not use this for the direct question "what are you saying?" For that question, use qué dices.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase lo que dices uses the informal tú conjugation of the verb decir. To say "what you say" using the formal usted, use lo que dice instead. To say "what you say" to a group of people, use lo que dicen.
How do you pronounce it?
/lo ke diθes/
Did you know?
- The word que shares a common ancestor with the English word 'who', both originating from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- If you confuse lo que dices with qué dices in a conversation, you might accidentally switch from stating a fact to asking a question, which can change the tone from agreeing to challenging the speaker.
- In formal legal or poetic Spanish, the structure of lo que dices can be shifted to lo cual dices to refer back to a specific previous statement with more precision.
Examples in context
- Entiendo lo que dices.I understand what you say.This sentence is useful for expressing understanding of the phrase lo que dices.Tatoeba #1516282 by tatianangel, translation #1498111 by glavkos
- Lo que dices es cierto.What you say is right.This sentence is useful for stating the truthfulness of the phrase lo que dices.Tatoeba #793046 by Shishir, translation #17225 by Swift
- Vale, haré lo que dices.OK, I'll do what you say.This sentence is useful for agreeing to follow the instructions in lo que dices.Tatoeba #7726615 by arh, translation #7716710 by CK
- ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?Where is the nearest pharmacy?
- Disculpe la demora.I am sorry for the delay.
- Le agradezco su ayuda.Thank you for your help.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- MaríaNo estoy segura de lo que dices.I am not sure about what you say.
- DanielMe refiero a ir al cine.I mean going to the cinema.
- MaríaAhora entiendo lo que dices, Daniel.Now I understand what you say, Daniel.
- Daniel¡Genial! Entonces vamos el sábado.Great! Then let's go on Saturday.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
