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"Tell the truth" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "decir la verdad", and "say" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "decir". Learn more about the difference between "tell the truth" and "say" below.
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.
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.
