lo que digas
/lo ke diɡas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "whatever you say" is translated as lo que digas.
This phrase is frequently used to signal a dismissive agreement, implying that the speaker is yielding the argument without actually changing their mind.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lo que (that which/what) and digas (the subjunctive form of decir, to say).
Which one should you use?
The phrase lo que digas uses the subjunctive mood to mean "whatever you say," implying anything you might say. In contrast, lo que dices uses the indicative mood and refers to the specific things you are currently saying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb digas is in the present subjunctive mood because the phrase expresses an indefinite or hypothetical action.
How do you pronounce it?
/lo ke diɡas/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, a speaker might substitute this with tú dirás, which literally means 'you will say' but serves the same purpose of ending an argument without agreeing.
- While lo que digas can be dismissive, adding the word vale before it in Spain can shift the tone from sarcastic to a genuine, albeit lazy, agreement.
- The word que in this phrase shares a common ancestor with the English word 'who', both descending from Proto-Indo-European roots used to ask questions.
Examples in context
- Digas lo que digas, no te creo.Whatever you say, I won't believe you.This sentence shows how to use lo que digas to express disbelief.Tatoeba #637424 by Leono, translation #635639 by U2FS
- Digas lo que digas, yo me casaré con ella.Whatever you say, I'll marry her.This sentence uses lo que digas to show determination despite what someone says.Tatoeba #1992825 by marcelostockle, translation #17916 by Dejo
- Da igual lo que digas, lo haré a mi manera.Whatever you say, I'll do it my way.This sentence uses lo que digas to indicate that the speaker's actions are independent of the other person's words.Tatoeba #539439 by Shishir, translation #533263 by aandrusiak
- ¿Vamos al cine o al parque? Como tú digas.Shall we go to the cinema or the park? Whatever you say.
- Está bien, lo que tú digas.Alright, whatever you say.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are arguing about where to eat dinner.
- Alejandro¡Pero es que la pizza es lo mejor!But pizza is the best!
- LucíaLo que digas, Alejandro, pero iremos por sushi.Whatever you say, Alejandro, but we are going for sushi.
- AlejandroNo estoy de acuerdo, pero está bien.I don't agree, but alright.
- LucíaGracias por no discutir más.Thanks for not arguing anymore.
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.
