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"Said" is a form of "say", a transitive verb which is often translated as "decir". "Told" is a form of "tell", a transitive verb which is often translated as "contar". Learn more about the difference between "said" and "told" below.
say(
sey
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to express)
a. decir
Can you say that again? I didn't hear you the first time.¿Podrías volver a decir eso? No te escuché la primera vez.
2. (to suppose)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to express)
a. decir
I asked him who broke the vase, but he didn't want to say.Le pregunté quién había roto el florero, pero no quiso decir.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
4. (opinion)
a. la opinión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's important that everyone have a say in the meeting.Es importante que cada uno pueda expresar su opinión en la reunión.
tell(
tehl
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to discern)
3. (to know)
a. saber
You can tell by the look in her eyes that she loves you.Puedes saber por su mirada que te quiere.
4. (to count)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The nun tells her rosary beads every evening.Todas las noches, la monja reza el rosario.
There were a hundred guests all told.Había cien invitados en total.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to divulge)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I won't tell Mom on you if you do me a favor.No me chivaré de ti a mamá si me haces un favor.
The agent asked her if she saw anything, but she was not willing to tell.El agente le preguntó si había visto algo, pero ella no lo quería decir.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Age tells when running a marathon.La edad pesa cuando corres un maratón.
Every answer tells in a job interview.Cada respuesta cuenta en una entrevista de trabajo.
