Uhhh... I mean?

Question

How would you say "I mean" like "his name is francis , oh i mean Francisco." It is used more so as an interruption to correct what one has previously said. In Spain people say "digo" for i mean (Francis, oh digo Francisco) but what is it in Latin American Spanish? Is it quiero (o quise) decir?

Welcome to the forum! - rac1, Jul 2, 2013

Answer 1

You could try o sea which translates as "that is". O sea is often used in that sense of

"I mean".

Of course quiero decir is used often as an "I mean" phrase.

Su nombre es Francis, quiero decir Francisco works literally.

You could have Su nombre es Francis, o sea Paco.. Or you could be a right smartie and say

Su nombre es Francis,o sea; ,...quiero decir Paco which works conversationally.

Answer 2

To say "Su nombre es Francis, o sea Paco" would mean his name is Francis, that is, Paco. It doesn't make sense because it's saying Francis is the same as Paco. The third example is great, though. I think I normally say something like "eehhh, no no, espera, se llama Paco, no Francis".

And welcome to the forum Bienvenido/a al foro.