In the world of Spanish language, mastering the command form is essential for effective communication. One of the most versatile and widely used verbs in Spanish is "decir," which means "to say" or "to tell." In this article, we will explore five ways to master the command form of "decir" and provide you with practical examples and tips to improve your Spanish language skills.
The Importance of Mastering Decir in Command Form
Mastering the command form of "decir" is crucial for giving instructions, making requests, and providing advice in Spanish. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, understanding how to use "decir" in the command form can help you communicate more effectively and confidently.
1. Formal Commands with Decir
Formal Commands with Decir
When giving instructions or making requests to someone you don't know well or to someone who is older than you, it's essential to use the formal command form of "decir." The formal command form is used with the pronouns "usted" (you, formal) and "ustedes" (you all, formal).
- Diga (say) - formal singular command
- Digas (say) - formal singular command with pronoun
- Díganlo (tell him/her/it) - formal singular command with pronoun
- Dígale (tell him/her) - formal singular command with pronoun
- Díganle (tell him/her) - formal singular command with pronoun
Example sentences:
- Diga la verdad (Tell the truth).
- Díganle a su amigo que venga mañana (Tell your friend to come tomorrow).
- Díganlo a la policía (Tell it to the police).
2. Informal Commands with Decir
Informal Commands with Decir
When giving instructions or making requests to someone you know well, such as a friend or family member, you can use the informal command form of "decir." The informal command form is used with the pronouns "tú" (you, informal) and "vosotros" (you all, informal).
- Di (say) - informal singular command
- Dilo (say it) - informal singular command with pronoun
- Dile (tell him/her) - informal singular command with pronoun
- Decidle (tell them) - informal plural command with pronoun
Example sentences:
- Di la verdad (Tell the truth).
- Dile a tu amigo que venga mañana (Tell your friend to come tomorrow).
- Díselo a tu hermano (Tell it to your brother).
3. Negative Commands with Decir
Negative Commands with Decir
When giving negative instructions or making negative requests, you need to use the negative command form of "decir." The negative command form is used to tell someone not to do something.
- No diga (don't say) - formal singular command
- No digas (don't say) - formal singular command with pronoun
- No le diga (don't tell him/her) - formal singular command with pronoun
- No di (don't say) - informal singular command
- No digas (don't say) - informal singular command with pronoun
Example sentences:
- No diga mentiras (Don't tell lies).
- No le diga a nadie (Don't tell anyone).
- No dijes a tu amigo que venga mañana (Don't tell your friend to come tomorrow).
4. Object Pronouns with Decir in Command Form
Object Pronouns with Decir in Command Form
When using "decir" in the command form, you can also use object pronouns to indicate the person or thing affected by the action.
- Díselo (tell it to him/her) - formal singular command with pronoun
- Díganlo (tell it to him/her) - formal singular command with pronoun
- Decidle (tell them) - informal plural command with pronoun
- Díselo (tell it to him/her) - informal singular command with pronoun
Example sentences:
- Díselo a tu hermano (Tell it to your brother).
- Díganlo a la policía (Tell it to the police).
- Decidle a tus amigos que vengan mañana (Tell your friends to come tomorrow).
5. Uses of Decir in Command Form
Uses of Decir in Command Form
The command form of "decir" can be used in various contexts to give instructions, make requests, or provide advice.
- Giving instructions: Diga la verdad (Tell the truth).
- Making requests: Dile a tu amigo que venga mañana (Tell your friend to come tomorrow).
- Providing advice: No diga mentiras (Don't tell lies).
- Giving orders: Dígale a su empleado que termine el proyecto (Tell your employee to finish the project).
By mastering the command form of "decir," you can improve your communication skills in Spanish and express yourself more effectively in various situations.
Get Involved!
Now that you've learned the five ways to master "decir" in command form, it's time to practice! Try using the command form of "decir" in different contexts and share your examples with us in the comments section below.
FAQ Section
What is the formal command form of "decir"?
+The formal command form of "decir" is used with the pronouns "usted" (you, formal) and "ustedes" (you all, formal). The formal singular command form is "diga" (say), and the formal plural command form is "digan" (say).
How do I use object pronouns with "decir" in command form?
+When using "decir" in the command form, you can use object pronouns to indicate the person or thing affected by the action. For example, "díselo" (tell it to him/her) is the formal singular command form with pronoun.
What are some common uses of "decir" in command form?
+The command form of "decir" can be used to give instructions, make requests, or provide advice. For example, "diga la verdad" (tell the truth) is a formal singular command form used to give instructions.