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"Say" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "decir", and "speak" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "hablar". Learn more about the difference between "say" and "speak" below.
say(
sey
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
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.
a. suponer
Say we were to get married. Would you like that?Supón que nos casáramos. ¿Te gustaría eso?
b. decir
Let's say I took a three-week vacation. Would that be okay?Digamos que me tome una vacación de tres semanas. ¿Estaría bien?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
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).
noun
a. la opinión
(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).
(F)
It's important that everyone have a say in the meeting.Es importante que cada uno pueda expresar su opinión en la reunión.
b. la voz
(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).
(F)
We citizens should have a say in this matter.Los ciudadanos deberíamos tener voz en este asunto.
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speak(
spik
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. hablar
"Speak now or forever hold your peace," said the judge."Hable ahora o calle para siempre", dijo el juez.
a. hablar
You know you can speak to me whenever you want.Sabes que puedes hablar conmigo cuando quieras.
a. hablar
I spoke at length about this issue yesterday.Hablé largo y tendido sobre este tema ayer.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. decir
If you don't speak the truth now, you may never get another chance.Si no dices la verdad ahora, tal vez nunca tendrás otra oportunidad.
a. hablar
He speaks five languages fluently.Habla cinco idiomas con fluidez.
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