tú dices
/tu diθes/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "you tell" is translated as tú dices.
This phrase is used to state that someone is saying or speaking something.
Which one should you use?
Use tú dices for informal situations, while Usted dice is used for formal contexts. For specific requests, you might use ¿Me dices…? informally or ¿Podría usted decirme…? formally.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Tú dices is used to say "you tell" informally. In Argentina and Uruguay, the informal forms Vos decís and ¿Me decís…? are used instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form dices is the second-person singular present indicative of the verb decir.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu diθes/
Did you know?
- While decir means 'to tell' or 'to say', it is used in the phrase ¡Dígame! to answer the phone in some regions, which literally translates to 'Tell me!'
- The word tú is a distant relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both evolved from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, shifting from usted to tú is a social ritual called 'tutear'. It signifies a deliberate move toward intimacy or equality.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿podría usted decirme qué hora es?Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?
- Amigo, ¿me dices si piensas ir a la fiesta de María?Friend, can you tell me if you plan to go to Maria's party?
- Tú dices la verdad siempre.You always tell the truth.
- Tú dices que vas a venir.You say that you are coming.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a plan.
- DanielSofía, tú dices que vamos mañana.Sofía, you say that we are going tomorrow.
- SofíaSí, es el mejor día.Yes, it is the best day.
- DanielEstá bien, yo acepto.All right, I agree.
- SofíaPerfecto, nos vemos entonces.Perfect, I will see you then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tú, CC BY-SA 4.0.
