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"Deber" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to owe", and "dijo que" is a phrase which is often translated as "he said that". Learn more about the difference between "deber" and "dijo que" below.
deber(
deh
-
behr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. must
¿Cuántos años tiene tu profesora de francés? - Debe tener unos cuarenta.How old is your French teacher? - She must be around forty.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
b. obligation
Es tu deber como madre cuidar a tus hijos.It's your obligation as a mother to take care of your children.
los deberes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
6. (education)
a. homework
Tengo un montón de deberes que hacer este fin de semana.I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.
deberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be due to
Esta situación se debe a la falta de información.This situation is due to a lack of information.
dijo que(
dee
-
hoh
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he said that (masculine)
¿Dijo Sergio algo de mí? - Sí, dijo que le caías muy bien.Did Sergio say anything about me? - Yes, he said that he really liked you.
b. she said that (feminine)
En la rueda de prensa de ayer, dijo que no estaba dispuesta a ceder ante las presiones.In yesterday's press conference, she said that she wasn't prepared to give way to pressure.
c. he said (masculine)
Tu hermano llamó y dijo que no vendrá a comer hoy.Your brother called, and he said he won't be coming for lunch today.
d. she said (feminine)
La jefa está en su despacho, pero dijo que no quería que la molestaran.The boss is in her office, but she said she didn't want to be disturbed.
2. (formal) (spoke; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you said that
Dijo que el trabajo estaría acabado para el miércoles, y ya estamos a viernes.You said that the work would be finished by Wenesday, and today's Friday.
b. you said
Dijo que me pagaría hoy. ¿No se acuerda?You said you'd pay me today. Don't you remember?
