decir conjugation - Parker Core Knowledge

Understanding the Context

What is Dícir? – The Infinitive Form

Dícir is the infinitive form of the Spanish verb meaning “to say.” It acts as the base for all tenses and is essential for building sentences. In conjugating dício, you’ll learn how Spanish verbs change based on tense, subject, and mood.

Infinitive

Dícir — to say

Key Insights

Dícir Conjugation Table

Here’s a clear breakdown of dío conjugated in the main tenses and moods you’ll use as a learner.

Present Tense (Presente de Subjuntivo & Indicativo)

These forms describe current actions and states.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Díciro | I say |
| Tú | Díces | You (informal) say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Díce | He/She/You (formal) says |
| Nosotros/as | Dicimos | We say |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Déis | You (plural informal) say |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Dícen | They say (informal plural) |

> Note: Díces and Díce reflect informal and formal forms respectively. In formal Spanish, oso is preferred in subjunctive forms like “Que él/díces algo” (that he/she says something), but the simple present remains easy to learn.

Preterite Tense (Pretérito Perfecto Simple)

Used for completed actions in the past.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Dije | I said |
| Tú | Dijiste | You (informal) said |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Dijo | He/She/You (formal) said |
| Nosotros/as | Dimos | We said |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Dieste | You (plural informal) said |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Dijeron | They (plural/formal) said |

Final Thoughts

Imperfect Tense (Pretérito Imperfecto)

Describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Decía | I used to say |
| Tú | Decías | You (informal) used to say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Decía | He/She/You (formal) used to say |
| Nosotros/as | Decíamos | We used to say |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Decíashes | You (plural informal) used to say (rarely used today) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Decían | They (plural/formal) used to say |

Future Tense (Futuro Simple)

Expresses actions that will happen.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Diré | I will say |
| Tú | Dirás | You (informal) will say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Dirá | He/She/You (formal) will say |
| Nosotros/as | Diremos | We will say |
| Vosotros/Wosotras | Diréis | You (plural informal) will say |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Dirán | They will say |

Conditional Tense (Condicional Simple)

Used for hypothetical present or polite future actions.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Diría | I would say |
| Tú | Dirías | You would say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Diría | He/She/You (formal) would say |
| Nosotros/as | Diríamos | We would say |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Diríais | You (plural informal) would say |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Dirían | They would say |

Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo)

Used in subordinate clauses expressing doubt, emotion, or necessity.
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Meaning |
|---------|------------|------------------------|
| Yo | Díe | I say (emotionally/subjectively) |
| Tú | Dies | You (emotionally) say |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Diga | He/She/You (formal) say |
| Nosotros/as | Dicamos | We say (emotionally) |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Díais | You (plural/formal) say |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Digan | They say (emotionally) |

Imperative (North America & Spain variations)

Dícel (informal, plural) – Say (to a group, e.g., Dícel algo a tus amigos!)
Diga (formal, all regions, preferred in Spain) – Say (formal or direct)
Example: Díganse callosos (Be careful not to speak up).