Conjugating "Decir"

Question

"Decir" is the infinitive verb "to say, to tell". "(Yo) digo" means "I say". Correct? Why does the "e" change into an " i " when it's conjugated? What's the rule'

Answer 1

I really don't know what the rule is. As in English, there are irregular verbs in Spanish and this is one of them. You just have to memorize which ones they are. Fortunately, there are not as many in Spanish as there are in English.
Does anyone know the definite rule'

Answer 2

I haven't found a rule, if one exists, but it's usually a pronunciation thing. If it wasn't changed, you would say deco for the 1st person present & I guess somewhere along the line, someone didn't want that or it evolved into what it is today. Some irregulars you can determine the reason, it would be hard to say unless it was changed.

Answer 3

Is there a way to tell if a Spanish verb is regular or irregular'

Answer 4

Isn't (Yo) digo 1st person'

Answer 5

yes, present 1st person is "digo"

Answer 6

hi denny, 'Decir' is a verbo doble irregularidad (double irregular verb) so it has 2 irregularities.
it's conjugated as such:

yo: digo
tu: dices
el/ella: dice
nosotros/as: decimos
vosotros/as: decís
ellos/as: dicen

guess there isn't any particular rule to spot irregularities in conjugation.
we'll just have to pick them up on the way.

Answer 7

I understand. It's like an irregular verb in English somewhat (swin, swam, swum). I'll just have to learn them as I go along. I'll probably buy a book on Spanish verbs. Thanks.