Hablar vs. Decir
English has “speak,” “talk,” “say,” and “tell.” Spanish has two main verbs. Hablar is about the act of speaking or talking. Decir is about what is said: the words, the message, the information.
Quick answer
- Hablar = to speak, to talk: Hablo español.
- Decir = to say, to tell: Digo la verdad.
- Say decirle algo a alguien: Le digo mi nombre.
Hablar: speak, talk
Use hablar for languages, for conversations, and for the act of speaking. It is regular. You often use it with con (with) or de (about).
Examples
- Hablo inglés y español.I speak English and Spanish.Languages.
- Mi madre habla con su amiga.My mother talks with her friend.Hablar con.
- Hablamos de política.We talk about politics.Hablar de.
- ¿Puedes hablar más despacio?Can you speak more slowly?Speed.
Decir: say, tell
Use decir when you give the content: words, a message, a fact. It is irregular in the present: digo, dices, dice, decimos, dicen. The preterite is dije, dijiste, dijo, dijimos, dijeron.
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | digo |
| tú | dices |
| él, ella, usted | dice |
| nosotros | decimos |
| ellos, ustedes | dicen |
Examples
- Dime tu nombre.Tell me your name.Decir + indirect object.
- Mi padre dice que viene mañana.My father says he is coming tomorrow.Decir que.
- ¿Qué dijiste?What did you say?Preterite.
- No digas eso.Do not say that.Negative command.
Common expressions
Some phrases use decir in idiomatic ways: es decir (that is to say), querer decir (to mean), por así decirlo (so to speak).
Examples
- ¿Qué quiere decir esta palabra?What does this word mean?Querer decir.
- Es decir, no vienes.That is, you are not coming.Es decir.
- Dime la verdad.Tell me the truth.Imperative.
Spanish around the world
- Both verbs work the same way across regions. In informal Mexican Spanish, people often use dizque (supposedly) and dice que to report what others said.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo hablo la verdad.
Correct: Yo digo la verdad.
The content of speech uses decir.
Incorrect: Él dice español.
Correct: Él habla español.
Languages use hablar.
Incorrect: Yo dijé la verdad.
Correct: Yo dije la verdad.
Dije has no accent.
Incorrect: Dices a mí la verdad.
Correct: Dime la verdad.
With decir, an indirect object pronoun is natural.
Remember the idea
- Hablar: languages, conversations, the act of speaking.
- Decir: what is said, a message, a fact.
- Decir is irregular: digo, dices, dice; preterite dije, dijo.
Mini practice
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hablar and conversar?
Conversar is a bit more formal, and means to have a conversation.
How do I say ‘tell me’?
Dime. Dime la verdad.
Is decir always followed by que?
No. Dice que sí uses que. Dice la verdad does not.
Does decir change its stem?
Yes. The e becomes i in the present: digo, dices, dice.
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