In a previous lesson, we focused on the relative pronouns el que, la que, los que and las que, which usually mean "the one" or "ones that" or "who." This time, we will introduce the remaining relative pronouns in Spanish, learning their English equivalents and how to use them in context.
Relative pronouns in English include "that," "which," "who," etc. in phrases like "the girl who is wearing black," "the house that we bought" and "the truck, which is brand new, broke down already." As we see, these words connect relative clauses like "is wearing black," "we bought" and "is brand new" to let the listener know what or whom specifically is being referred to and/or reveal qualities about them. Let's take a look at the equivalents of these terms in Spanish.
The relative pronoun que is the most commonly seen relative pronoun. It can refer to people or things and mean that, which, who or whom. Regardless of the number and gender of the antecedent (what the pronoun refers to), the relative pronoun que remains the same. Let's look at several examples from the Yabla Spanish video library that describe both objects and people and are translated in some of the aforementioned ways.
Hoy os quiero contar un poquito sobre el último libro que he leído.
Today, I want to tell you a little bit about the last book that I've read.
Caption 8, Adriana La lectura - Part 2
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y me inclino bastante por trabajar el realismo mágico, que es un género.
and I'm quite inclined to work in magic realism, which is a genre.
Caption 4, Julia Silva Su cortometraje "Crisálida"
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Necesito información sobre la mujer que acaba de entrar.
I need information about the woman who just went in.
Caption 32, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 11
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Refer to this lesson on the many uses of the word que in Spanish to hear this usage contrasted with many others.
Like el que, la que, los que and las que, the relative pronouns el cual, la cual, los cuales and las cuales must agree with their antecedent in terms of number and gender. Since this set of pronouns can refer to objects or people, they can be translated as which or who. Let's examine an example of each one, noting the agreement between the relative pronoun and its antecedent.
El tercer sentido es el sentido del gusto, con el cual podemos percibir el sabor de las cosas
The third sense is the sense of taste with which we can perceive the flavor of the things
Captions 33-34, Carlos explica Los cinco sentidos - Part 2
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Conocí a mi... la mamá de mis hijos, la cual tenía familia en Alemania
I met my... the mother of my children, who had family in Germany,
Captions 10-11, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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y también los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez, los cuales son muy famosos
and also, the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens, which are very famous
Captions 27-28, Aprendiendo con Zulbany Visitando Madrid
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es decir, de opiniones en las cuales emitimos un juicio de valor sobre algo o alguien.
in other words, about opinions in which we cast a value judgment about something or someone.
Captions 11-12, Carlos explica Cómo expresar opiniones en español - Part 3
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Were you able to pick out the antecedents in each sentence and see how their corresponding relative pronouns agree in number and gender? They are: el gusto/el cual (masculine singular), la mamá de mis hijos/la cual (feminine singular), los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez/los cuales (masculine plural) and (las) opiniones/las cuales (feminine singular).
In contrast to the relative pronouns we have seen thus far, quien and quienes can only refer to people. While gender does not matter, quien must be used for just one person whereas quienes is used for more than one. As we see below, the English equivalents of quien and quienes are who and whom.
La una que es la persona quien conduce el bote, que se le dice el lanchero,
[Number] one is the person who drives the boat, who is called the boatman,
Caption 13, Instinto de conservación Gorgona - Part 7
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Los corsarios eran marinos en su mayoría respetables a quienes los monarcas otorgaban las patentes de corso,
The corsairs were, for the most part, respectable sailors to whom the monarchs granted letters of marque,
Captions 57-58, Viajando con Fermín Pasajes (Pasaia) - Part 3
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Note that this use differs from the use of the word quién (with an accent) as a Spanish question word.
In contrast to the relative pronouns we have seen thus far, lo que (what, that, which, that which) and lo cual (which) refer not to an antecedent noun but to an entire antecedent clause. Since these clauses include nouns and verbs and entail concepts and situations, gender is not applicable. Keep in mind that while lo que may refer to something stated explicitly in the sentence or something that is not, el cual must refer to something within the sentence. With this in mind, let's see a few examples:
Pero realmente, lo que hice fue dedicarme a buscar la tierra perfecta.
But really, what I did was devote myself to looking for the perfect land.
Captions 56-57, Amaya Recordando - Part 2
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¿Qué era lo que decía, mamita?
What was it that it said, Mommy?
Caption 16, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 11
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podrán ver objetos colgados por todos lados, lo cual crea un ambiente bastante colorido y surreal.
you'll be able to see objects hanging everywhere, which creates a quite colorful and surreal atmosphere.
Captions 54-55, Viajando con Carlos Andrés Carne de Res
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You are probably familiar with the Spanish word ahí (not to be confused with hay or ay), which is one of the ways to say "there" in Spanish. However, you may have noticed that it seems to be used frequently by many native speakers with different meanings, which aren't always easy to intuit. Let's explore many of the possible meanings of the common Spanish word ahí.
Like the English word "there," the Spanish word ahí can mean "in that place," "to that place" or merely "that place." When referring to physical location, the word ahí technically describes the closest distance relative to the other Spanish words for "there," allí and allá, but is often used interchangeably with the others. Let's take a look at some examples.
y lo dejaremos ahí hasta que hierva.
and we'll leave it there until it boils.
Caption 19, Ana Carolina Ponche navideño
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Entonces no sé si vamos ahí.
So I don't know if we [can] go there.
Caption 34, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 2 - Part 2
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In this usage, the word ahí is often preceded by a preposition, as we see here:
Y a veces, por ahí sale el calor del centro de la tierra.
And sometimes, the heat from the center of the earth comes out through there.
Caption 48, Guillermina y Candelario El Gran Descubrimiento
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When paired specifically with the Spanish preposition de, de ahí literally means "from that place" and works like the English word "hence" to refer to something that was said previously:
recordando a la cabeza de un ave; de ahí su nombre no científico.
reminding one of a bird's head; hence its non scientific name.
Captions 63-64, Isabel Lavesa Especies vegetales
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In this usage, the Spanish word ahí also references something that was previously mentioned and might be translated with "there" or other phrases like "that's when," "that's where," etc. Let's see two examples in context:
y veía a ese grupo y decía: "Che, ¿y nosotros por qué no?" Y de ahí nace la idea de empezar a juntarse.
and I saw that group and said, "Hey, and why not us?" And, from there, the idea of starting to get together is born.
Captions 41-42, Tu Música El Ensamble Latino - Part 1
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Y ahí me vino la inspiración de hacer un vídeo sobre los medios de transporte.
And that's where the inspiration came to me to make a video about the means of transportation.
Captions 9-10, Aprendiendo con Silvia Medios de transporte - Part 1
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The word ahí in Spanish can also work like the English word "then" to refer to a specific moment in time:
Ahí vamos a agregar nuestra, eh... panela en almíbar, se podría decir, ¿no?, o panela derretida.
Then, we're going to add our, um... panela syrup, you might say, right? Or melted panela.
Captions 49-50, Otavalo Proyecto familiar Kawsaymi - Part 5
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Let's look at this usage in the context of common fixed expressions in both Spanish and English:
De ahí en adelante las cosas empezaron a suceder con rapidez.
From then on, things began to happen quickly.
Caption 32, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 13 - Part 4
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The word ahí can also work like the word "maybe" or "perhaps," as we see below:
Y ahí voy a la fiesta mañana; no estoy segura.
And maybe I'll go to the party tomorrow; I'm not sure.
In addition to the many uses we just covered, the word ahí is also part of many fixed expressions in Spanish. Below you will find several with example sentences.
Just this one Spanish construction can have many different meanings in different contexts, aside from the literal one, "through there," which we saw previously. Let's take a look at several of them.
Maybe, Might:
Por ahí se preparan un asadito... no sé.
They might prepare a barbecue... I don't know.
Caption 56, Muñeca Brava 44 El encuentro - Part 8
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"They," "People"
Por ahi can also be used similarly to the impersonal se construction in Spanish to describe what "people" generally do, say, etc. Alternative translations for the caption below thus include "As they say" or "As people say."
Como dicen por ahí, todo tiene su ciencia.
As the saying goes, there's a science to everything.
Caption 20, Guillermina y Candelario El Manglar
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Around (Physically)
O... "Por favor, no lo dejéis todo por ahí tirado.
Or... "Please, don't leave everything scattered around.
Caption 19, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados del verbo dejar - Part 1
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Around (About/More or Less)
Él se hizo famoso por ahí de los años setentas
He became famous around the seventies
Caption 15, Guillermo el chamán La tecnología maya
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Vamos a cenar por ahí esta noche.
We're going to go out to dinner tonight.
¿Cómo está el proyecto? -Ahí va.
How's the project? It's coming along.
¿Cómo está tu hermano? Me dijeron que estaba enfermo. -Ahí va. Todavía no se encuentra muy bien.
How's your brother? I heard he was sick. -He's hanging in there. He's still not feeling very well.
This might be used when someone is at the door or calling you, for example, from another room.
A partir de ahí, comienza lo que serán veinticuatro horas de fiesta ininterrumpida,
From there, what will be twenty-four hours of uninterrupted partying begins
Captions 56-57, Días festivos La Tamborrada de San Sebastián
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Tenemos la Unidad Operativa de Punta Pirámide, que está ahí nomás de Puerto Pirámide
We have the Operational Unit of Punta Pirámide, which is very close to Puerto Pirámide,
Captions 21-22, Perdidos en la Patagonia Península Valdés
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y ahí mismo vamos a echar nuestra carne salpimentada.
and right there, we're going to put in our seasoned meat.
Caption 38, La cocina de María Estofado de ternera
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Quieta ahí.
Don't move.
Caption 28, Yago 2 El puma - Part 9
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That's all for this lesson on the many meanings of the Spanish word ahí, alone and in fixed expressions. We hope that it will help you to use it and understand it in different contexts, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments!
Learning how to use the Spanish verb decir (to say, to tell) is essential for everyday conversations. This common verb helps you express opinions, share information, and report what others have said. In this lesson, we'll explore the most useful forms of decir and show you how to use them correctly in various situations through real examples from native speakers.
One of the most commonly used forms of the verb decir is digo (I say):
Pero si yo digo: Yo voy en el autobús y usted va en el coche,
But if I say: I am going in the bus and you [formal] are going in the car,
Captions 49-51, Fundamentos del Español 6 - Tú y Usted
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The verb decir is frequently followed by the word que (that):
Siempre digo que tiene una energía especial,
I always say that it has a special energy
Caption 71, Amaya Recordando - Part 2
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Also remember that in Spanish you don't always need to use personal pronouns before verbs, since these are conjugated differently for each person:
Digo lo que veo.
I say what I see.
Caption 50, Muñeca Brava 7 El poema - Part 7
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Another common form of the verb decir is dice (he/she/it says). The reason why dice is very useful is because it helps us talk about what we read or hear. For example:
Hay un letrero en la puerta que dice que ya está cerrado | There's a sign on the door saying it's closed already.
El mensaje dice que viene una gran tormenta | The message says a big storm is coming.
Mayra dice que te tienes que ir | Mayra says you have to go.
We mentioned before that it's very common to omit personal pronouns before verbs in Spanish. But you will find that the verb decir is frequently preceded by reflexive, direct, or indirect object pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, le, les, la, las, lo) depending on what is being said and to whom. For example:
¿Quién nos dice que la vida nos dará el tiempo necesario?
Who says [to us] life will give us the necessary time?
Caption 11, Julieta Venegas El Presente
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Supongamos que un amigo me dice lo siguiente:
Let's imagine that a friend tells me the following:
Caption 44, Carlos explica Diminutivos y Aumentativos Cap 2: Definiciones generales
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It's also important to remember how pronouns are combined when using this verb. You must place reflexive or indirect object pronouns first, and then direct object pronouns right next to the verb. In the following example te replaces an indirect object (you) and lo (it) replaces a direct object:
te lo digo de corazón
I tell you from the heart.
Caption 25, Documental de Alejandro Fernandez Viento A Favor - Part 1
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The past tense dijo (he/she/it said) is another useful form of this verb. For example, you can use it to talk about what someone told you in the past. The expression me lo dijo (he/she/it told it to me) is worth learning:
¡Es verdad, pana, mi hermano me lo dijo!
It's true, pal, my brother told it to me!
Caption 45, NPS No puede ser 1 - El concurso - Part 3
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No le digas (don't tell him/her) and no me digas (don't tell me) are also useful:
¡No le digas, Candelario!
Don't tell him, Candelario!
Caption 14, Guillermina y Candelario La Isla de las Serpientes - Part 1
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Another fixed expression is se dice (it's said, one says), which is equivalent to dice la gente (people say):
y se dice que sus flores anuncian la llegada de buenas noticias.
and it is said that its flowers announce the arrival of good news.
Caption 29, Fermín y las plantas Dama de noche
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The same phrase, se dice, can also be used to talk about the correct pronunciation of a word, or its meaning in a different language. For example:
Buenos días se dice "bonjour" en Francés | "Bonjour" is good morning in French.
No se dice "soy contento", se dice "estoy contento" | You don't say "soy contento," you say "estoy contento" (I'm happy).
The Spanish verb decir is one of the most important verbs to learn because it helps you express yourself and understand others in everyday conversations. By practicing the different forms we've covered (digo, dice, dijo, no digas, se dice), you'll be able to use this verb confidently in various contexts.
You can find many more examples of the verb decir in our catalog. Just type the form of the verb that you want to practice in the search tool to start learning real Spanish from real speakers in real situations!
We hope this lesson has helped you understand how to use the Spanish verb decir effectively. Have you tried using any of these expressions in your conversations? We'd love to hear about your experience with this versatile verb! Remember that mastering decir is a big step toward fluency in Spanish. If you have any thoughts or experiences to share, we're eager to hear from you. ¡Hasta la próxima, and don't forget to send us your questions and suggestions!
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