vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Say" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "decir", and "tell the truth" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "decir la verdad". Learn more about the difference between "say" and "tell the truth" 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 the truth(
tehl
thuh
truth
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. di la verdad (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Tell the truth, Tony. Was it you?Di la verdad, Tony. ¿Fuiste tú?
b. diga la verdad (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Tell the truth, Mr. Spade, or you'll be in serious trouble.Diga la verdad, Sr. Spade, o tendrá serios problemas.
a. digan la verdad (plural)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Tell the truth or you'll all get detention.Digan la verdad o todos serán castigados.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. decir la verdad
My mom says I should always tell the truth.Mi mamá dice que siempre tengo que decir la verdad.
