A2 Present Tense 17 min read Easy

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)

Remember that 'Eu' changes to 'digo' (with a g), while the rest keep the 'diz' stem.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The verb 'dizer' is irregular in the present tense, meaning you must memorize its unique forms for 'eu' and 'você/ele/ela'.

  • The 'eu' form is unique: 'Eu digo'.
  • The 'você/ele/ela' form ends in 'e': 'Ele diz'.
  • The 'nós' form is regular: 'Nós dizemos'.
Subject + Dizer (conjugated) + [que] + Clause

Overview

The verb dizer (to say, to tell) is a cornerstone of Portuguese communication, allowing you to convey specific messages, report information, and express opinions. Unlike many regular verbs that adhere to predictable patterns, dizer is highly irregular in the present indicative, particularly in its first-person singular form. Mastering dizer at the A2 level is crucial for moving beyond basic descriptive language to engaging in more nuanced conversations and understanding reported speech.

While verbs like falar focus on the act of speaking or the ability to speak a language, dizer centers on the content of the message itself. It is the verb you choose when the words spoken, rather than the utterance, are the primary focus. This distinction is fundamental to effective communication in Portuguese, enabling you to articulate precisely what is said or told.

The irregularity of dizer is not arbitrary; it stems from historical linguistic developments that have shaped many essential Portuguese verbs. Understanding these core verbs, even with their unpredictable forms, provides a deeper grasp of the language's structure and prepares you for more complex grammatical concepts. For A2 learners, recognizing and correctly applying digo for Eu is the immediate, critical step in taming this essential verb.

Conjugation Table

Pronoun Conjugation English Equivalent
:---------------- :---------- :-------------------
Eu digo I say/tell
Tu (informal) dizes You say/tell
Ele/Ela/Você diz He/She/You say/tell
Nós dizemos We say/tell
Eles/Elas/Vocês dizem They/You (pl.) say/tell

How This Grammar Works

Portuguese verbs are typically classified as regular, irregular, or stem-changing. Dizer falls squarely into the irregular category due to its unpredictable stem change in the first person singular, Eu. While most -er verbs follow a standard pattern (e.g., comer -> Eu como, Tu comes, Ele come), dizer deviates significantly.
The primary mechanism of its irregularity in the present indicative is the transformation of the stem diz- to dig- for the Eu form. This z to g change is a fossilized remnant of older Latin forms, specifically verbs that ended in -dicere or -ducere. The g sound emerged historically, becoming fixed in the first-person singular of verbs like dizer, fazer (to do/make), and trazer (to bring).
For A2 learners, understanding the linguistic why behind this is less critical than simply memorizing the Eu digo form. However, recognizing that this z to g pattern appears in other common irregular verbs, such as Eu faço (from fazer) and Eu trago (from trazer), can help you identify a broader group of verbs that share this specific type of irregularity. This commonality makes the initial memorization a stepping stone to a larger pattern.
Consider dizer not as a complete anomaly, but as part of a smaller, yet significant, group of verbs that have retained these historical gs in their first-person conjugation. This knowledge provides a framework, explaining why you encounter dig-, faç-, and trag- where you might expect diz-, faz-, and traz-.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of dizer in the present indicative, despite its irregularity, follows a specific pattern that can be broken down for easier learning.
2
Identify the infinitive: The base verb is dizer.
3
The unique Eu form: For the first person singular, Eu, the stem changes from diz- to dig-, and the standard -o ending for -er verbs is applied, resulting in digo. This is the most crucial form to commit to memory. For example: Eu digo a verdade. (I tell the truth.). There is no Eu dizo.
4
The diz- stem for other persons: For Tu, Ele/Ela/Você, Nós, and Eles/Elas/Vocês, the stem remains diz-. You then attach the regular -er verb endings for the present indicative.
5
For Tu, add -es: Tu dizes. For instance: Tu dizes sempre o que pensas. (You always say what you think.)
6
For Ele/Ela/Você, add -e: Ele diz. For example: Ele diz que vem amanhã. (He says he's coming tomorrow.)
7
For Nós, add -emos: Nós dizemos. Such as: Nós dizemos adeus aos amigos. (We say goodbye to friends.)
8
For Eles/Elas/Vocês, add -em: Eles dizem. Like: Eles dizem que está tudo bem. (They say everything is fine.)
9
This methodical approach clarifies that the irregularity is confined primarily to Eu digo, while the other forms are consistent once the diz- stem is established. This makes the verb less daunting than it might initially appear, providing a clear formula for its application.

When To Use It

Use dizer when the specific content, message, or words spoken are the focus. It implies transmitting information, opinions, or a particular utterance. Here are the key contexts:
  • Reporting Speech or Information: When you are relaying what someone else said, or stating a fact. This often involves the conjunction que (that).
  • Ela diz que o filme é bom. (She says that the movie is good.)
  • O relatório diz que a economia está a crescer. (The report says that the economy is growing.)
  • Expressing Opinions or Beliefs: To state what you or someone else believes or thinks.
  • Eu digo que isso não é justo. (I say that that's not fair.)
  • O meu irmão diz que a melhor praia é a de Copacabana. (My brother says that the best beach is Copacabana.)
  • Giving Instructions or Commands: Especially when requesting specific information or actions.
  • Diz-me o teu nome. (Tell me your name.)
  • Por favor, diz adeus à tua avó. (Please, say goodbye to your grandmother.)
  • Fixed Expressions and Common Phrases: Dizer is part of many idiomatic expressions.
  • Dizer a verdade (To tell the truth)
  • Dizer olá/adeus (To say hello/goodbye)
  • Dizer que sim/não (To say yes/no)
  • Asking for Definitions or Translations: This is incredibly useful for learners.
  • Como se diz 'hello' em português? (How do you say 'hello' in Portuguese?)
  • O que diz essa palavra? (What does that word say? - meaning, what does it mean?)
In all these uses, dizer highlights the verbal message itself, distinguishing it from the more general act of communication. It is the go-to verb for conveying the precise 'what' of speech.

When Not To Use It

Just as important as knowing when to use dizer is understanding when to avoid it. Using dizer incorrectly can lead to awkward or unintelligible sentences. Here are situations where dizer is typically not appropriate:
  • Speaking a Language: You do not dizer a language; you falar a language. Falar refers to the ability or the act of using a language.
  • Incorrect: Eu digo português.
  • Correct: Eu falo português. (I speak Portuguese.)
  • Having a Conversation or Talk (general act): If the emphasis is on the interaction of talking rather than the specific content, falar is preferred.
  • Incorrect: Nós dizemos sobre o problema.
  • Correct: Nós falamos sobre o problema. (We talked about the problem.)
  • Telling a Story, Joke, or Secret: For narratives or relaying personal information that unfolds over time, the verb contar (to tell, to count) is the correct choice.
  • Incorrect: Ele disse uma história engraçada.
  • Correct: Ele contou uma história engraçada. (He told a funny story.)
  • Making General Noise or Utterances (without specific content): Falar is for the physical act of producing speech sounds.
  • Incorrect: O bebé está a dizer. (Meaning: The baby is babbling.)
  • Correct: O bebé está a falar. (The baby is talking/babbling.)
  • Referring to objects that 'say' something symbolically: While O livro diz (The book says) is common for a book imparting information, for signs or alerts that convey a warning or message, dizer is less frequent than indicar (to indicate) or mostrar (to show).
  • A placa diz 'Paragem Proibida'. (The sign says 'No Parking'.) - This is acceptable, but sometimes A placa indica might feel more natural depending on context.
Distinguishing dizer from falar and contar is a key step in developing fluency. Always consider whether you are emphasizing the message (dizer), the act of speaking (falar), or a narrative (contar).

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when using dizer. Being aware of these common errors and understanding their underlying reasons will help you avoid them and improve your accuracy.
  • The Eu dizo Trap: This is arguably the most common mistake for beginners. Because many regular -er verbs form their Eu form by simply adding -o to the stem (e.g., comer -> Eu como), learners incorrectly apply this to dizer, creating Eu dizo. This sounds distinctly unnatural to a native speaker because it ignores the crucial z to g stem change.
  • Incorrect: Eu dizo que vou sair.
  • Correct: Eu digo que vou sair. (I say that I'm leaving.)
  • Omitting que in Reported Speech: In English, you can often omit "that" in reported speech ("He said he was tired"). In Portuguese, however, the conjunction que is almost always required after dizer when a full clause follows.
  • Incorrect: Ela diz vem amanhã.
  • Correct: Ela diz que vem amanhã. (She says that she's coming tomorrow.)
  • This que acts as a necessary bridge between dizer and the subsequent statement, a structural difference from English.
  • Confusing dizer with falar for Language Ability: As highlighted earlier, dizer is for specific words, not the ability to communicate in a language. Many learners transfer the English "say" (as in "Can you say it in Portuguese?") when they mean "speak."
  • Incorrect: Eu não digo bem o português.
  • Correct: Eu não falo bem português. (I don't speak Portuguese well.)
  • Incorrect Object Pronoun Placement with dizer: While dizer generally takes a direct object (the thing said) and an indirect object (to whom it's said), learners sometimes struggle with combining these, especially in European Portuguese where object pronouns attach differently.
  • Correct (BP): Ele me diz a verdade. (He tells me the truth.)
  • Correct (EP): Ele diz-me a verdade. (He tells me the truth.)
  • At A2, focus on dizer a (alguém) (to tell to someone) or dizer (algo) a (alguém) and gradually introduce pronouns. The distinction between dizer algo and dizer a alguém is important.
Avoiding these common pitfalls requires conscious practice and attention to the specific patterns of dizer and its role in Portuguese sentence structure. Regular exposure to native usage will naturally reinforce the correct forms.

Memory Trick

Memorizing irregular verbs often benefits from simple, vivid associations. For dizer, the key irregularity is Eu digo. Here are a few tricks:

- The G for GO: Think of Eu digo as "I go" with the g sound. You go (digo) with the message. Or, imagine a speaker physically going to give the message. The G is a strong, definitive sound, much like saying something definitively.

- The Diz vs. Dig Split: Visualize the word dizer. For Eu, the z in diz morphs into a g. For everyone else, it stays diz-. It's like a two-faced coin: one side (Eu) has a g, the other sides (Tu, Ele, etc.) have a z.

- Sound Association: Practice saying dizer, fazer, trazer aloud. Notice how digo, faço, trago all share that distinct g or ç sound (which also comes from historical Latin c or g) in the Eu form. This auditory pattern can link these irregular verbs in your mind.

- Mini-Phrase Repetition: Constantly repeat short, common phrases using Eu digo. For example: Eu digo sim. (I say yes.), Eu digo que não. (I say no.), Eu digo a minha opinião. (I say my opinion.). Over time, digo will sound natural and dizo will sound foreign.

These tricks are designed to create a strong mental link to the correct irregular form, making recall faster and more automatic during conversation.

Real Conversations

Understanding dizer in its natural habitat – real, everyday Portuguese conversations – is essential for true fluency. Here’s how you might encounter it, across different contexts:

- Casual Texting/Messaging: In informal written communication, abbreviations and slightly looser grammar are common, but dizer's core meaning persists.

- Ele disse q n podia ir hj. (BP - He said that he couldn't go today.)

- Dizes o q? (EP - What are you saying?/What do you mean?)

- Amanhã digo-te tudo. (EP - Tomorrow I'll tell you everything.)

- Social Media: On platforms like Instagram or Facebook, dizer is used for sharing opinions, relaying news, or quoting others.

- Dizem por aí que o restaurante novo é ótimo. (They say around here that the new restaurant is great.)

- O que dizes sobre isto? Concordas? (What do you say about this? Do you agree?)

- Work Emails/Formal Contexts (slightly less common than speech): While more formal language might prefer verbs like informar (to inform) or comunicar (to communicate), dizer still appears.

- A gerente disse que a reunião foi adiada. (The manager said that the meeting was postponed.)

- Como dizíamos na reunião, precisamos de mais dados. (As we were saying in the meeting, we need more data.)

- Everyday Spoken Conversation: This is where dizer truly shines, from simple statements to indirect speech.

- Eu digo sempre o que penso. (I always say what I think.)

- O que é que tu dizes? (What do you say/What's your opinion?)

- Ela disse que estava cansada, por isso foi para casa. (She said she was tired, so she went home.)

Notice that in European Portuguese, the object pronoun often follows the verb (digo-te, diz-me), whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, it typically precedes it (te digo, me diz). These regional differences in pronoun placement are common, but the core conjugation of dizer remains the same.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly grasp dizer, it is beneficial to differentiate it from other verbs that might seem similar, particularly falar and contar. Understanding these distinctions clarifies the specific niche dizer occupies in Portuguese communication.
| Verb | Primary Focus | Typical Usage | Example |
| :---------------- | :----------------------- | :----------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Dizer | Content/Message | To state, to express, to report specific words | Eu digo a verdade. (I tell the truth.) |
| Falar | Act/Ability of Speech| To speak, to talk, to converse, to use a language| Eu falo português. (I speak Portuguese.) |
| Contar | Narrative/Number | To tell a story, to recount, to count, to narrate| Ela conta uma história. (She tells a story.)|
  • Dizer vs. Falar:
  • Falar is about the action of using your voice or communicating verbally, often in a general sense or about the ability to do so. Think of falar as the physical act. Eu falo alto. (I speak loudly.) Nós falamos todos os dias. (We talk every day.)
  • Dizer is about the information contained within the speech. It's the 'what' of communication. Ele disse uma palavra. (He said a word.) Dizes a tua opinião. (You state your opinion.)
  • Dizer vs. Contar:
  • Contar is used for telling stories, jokes, secrets, or recounting events sequentially. It implies a narrative or a list of items (like counting). Contar also means "to count."
  • Ele contou-me um segredo. (He told me a secret.)
  • A avó conta muitas histórias. (The grandmother tells many stories.)
  • While dizer can sometimes be translated as "to tell" in English, especially for short, direct pieces of information (Diz-me o teu nome.), contar is the correct choice for extended narratives.
  • Other Irregular -ZER Verbs: It's also helpful to note that the z to g or z to ç pattern in the Eu form is not unique to dizer. Recognizing this family of irregularities helps frame dizer within a larger system:
  • fazer (to do/make) -> Eu faço
  • trazer (to bring) -> Eu trago
  • caber (to fit) -> Eu caibo (a slightly different irregularity, but also common in the Eu form)
These comparisons reinforce that dizer operates within a specific, well-defined linguistic role. Mastering these distinctions will significantly enhance your precision and naturalness in Portuguese.

Progressive Practice

1

Consistent practice is key to internalizing the irregularities of dizer and using it correctly in context. Here are some progressive practice ideas suitable for an A2 learner:

2

- Conjugation Drills: Start by simply writing out the present indicative conjugation of dizer daily until it becomes automatic. Focus especially on Eu digo.

3

- Fill-in-the-Blanks: Practice sentences where you choose the correct form of dizer.

4

- Eu ____ que sim. (digo)

5

- Eles ____ a verdade. (dizem)

6

- Tu ____ sempre coisas interessantes. (dizes)

7

- Sentence Transformation (Falar to Dizer): Take simple sentences using falar and rewrite them to use dizer, focusing on the message.

8

- Eu falo muito sobre política. -> Eu digo a minha opinião sobre política.

9

- Ela fala com o professor. -> Ela diz ao professor que precisa de ajuda.

10

- Question and Answer Practice: Use Como se diz...? to learn new vocabulary and reinforce the phrase.

11

- Como se diz 'book' em português?

12

- Diz-me, por favor, como se diz 'thank you'.

13

- Role-Playing Short Dialogues: Create brief scenarios where you need to report what someone said or express an opinion.

14

- Scenario: Your friend just heard news from another friend.

15

- You: O que é que a Maria disse? (What did Maria say?)

16

- Friend: Ela diz que não pode vir. (She says that she can't come.)

17

- Opinion Sharing: Practice forming sentences to express your thoughts.

18

- Eu digo que é uma boa ideia. (I say that it's a good idea.)

19

- Vocês dizem que vai chover. (You (pl.) say that it's going to rain.)

20

By engaging in these varied practice methods, you will build muscle memory for dizer's forms and develop an intuitive understanding of its appropriate usage in different communicative situations.

Quick FAQ

Here are quick answers to some common questions regarding the verb dizer:
Q: Can dizer always be translated as "to tell" in English?

Not always. While Diz-me o teu nome translates directly to "Tell me your name," contar is generally preferred for longer narratives, jokes, or secrets. So, dizer means "to say" or "to tell" specific pieces of information, but contar means "to tell a story" or "to recount."

Q: Is Você diz formal or informal?

This varies between European Portuguese (EP) and Brazilian Portuguese (BP).

  • In European Portuguese, Você is generally considered more formal or distanced, so Você diz would lean towards a polite or formal address.
  • In Brazilian Portuguese, Você is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, making Você diz a common, everyday form of address, even among friends.
Q: How do I say "How do you say..." in Portuguese?

The most common and useful way is Como se diz...?. This is an impersonal construction meaning "How is it said...?", which universally covers "How do you say...?" or "How does one say...?"

  • Como se diz 'cheese' em português?
Q: Why do I sometimes hear dá para dizer?

Dá para dizer is an informal expression meaning "Is it possible to say?" or "Can one say?". Dá para implies possibility or suitability. For example, Dá para dizer que está frio? (Can one say that it's cold?).

Q: Is dizer only for verbal communication?

Primarily, yes. However, it can extend to written communication or even signs that convey a message, as in O livro diz que... (The book says that...) or A placa diz 'Cuidado'. (The sign says 'Caution'.). The key is still the content of the message being conveyed.

Q: Does dizer have other tenses that are also irregular?

Yes, dizer is irregular in several other tenses, such as the preterite (Eu disse, Tu disseste), the imperfect subjunctive (Eu dissesse), and the future subjunctive (Eu disser). However, for A2 learners, mastering the present indicative is the most immediate and impactful step. These other irregularities often follow similar stem changes once the initial pattern is understood.

Present Tense Conjugation of Dizer

Pronoun Conjugation English
Eu
digo
I say
Você/Ele/Ela
diz
You/He/She says
Nós
dizemos
We say
Vocês/Eles/Elas
dizem
You/They say

Meanings

The verb 'dizer' is the primary way to express 'to say' or 'to tell' in Portuguese. It is used to report information, express opinions, or relay messages.

1

Reporting speech

To state or express something verbally.

“Ela diz que está cansada.”

“O que você diz?”

2

Telling/Informing

To communicate information to someone.

“Diga-me o seu nome.”

“Eu digo a ele a hora.”

3

Expressing opinion

To state what one thinks.

“O que você diz sobre isso?”

“Eu digo que é uma boa ideia.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Dizer
Eu digo a verdade.
Negative
Não + Subject + Dizer
Eu não digo nada.
Interrogative
Subject + Dizer + ?
Você diz isso?
Imperative
Diga + (object)
Diga-me a verdade.
Reported
Subject + Dizer + que
Ele diz que vai.
Passive
Diz-se + (clause)
Diz-se que é bom.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
O que o senhor diz?

O que o senhor diz? (Asking for repetition)

Neutral
O que você diz?

O que você diz? (Asking for repetition)

Informal
O que você diz?

O que você diz? (Asking for repetition)

Slang
Diz aí!

Diz aí! (Asking for repetition)

The Dizer Web

Dizer

Forms

  • digo I say
  • diz he/she says

Usage

  • que that
  • a verdade the truth
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Examples by Level

1

Eu digo olá.

I say hello.

2

Você diz sim.

You say yes.

3

Ele diz não.

He says no.

4

Nós dizemos tudo.

We say everything.

1

O que você diz?

What do you say?

2

Eu não digo nada.

I don't say anything.

3

Ela diz que está bem.

She says she is fine.

4

Eles dizem a verdade.

They tell the truth.

1

Diga-me o que aconteceu.

Tell me what happened.

2

O que você diz sobre isso?

What do you say about this?

3

Eles dizem que vão viajar.

They say they are going to travel.

4

Eu digo que é melhor esperar.

I say it is better to wait.

1

O relatório diz que os números subiram.

The report says the numbers went up.

2

Não me diga que você esqueceu!

Don't tell me you forgot!

3

Dizem que este lugar é muito bom.

They say this place is very good.

4

Eu digo o que penso, sem medo.

I say what I think, without fear.

1

O que se diz por aí é preocupante.

What is being said out there is worrying.

2

Ele dizia uma coisa, mas fazia outra.

He used to say one thing, but did another.

3

Diga-se de passagem, ele é muito inteligente.

By the way, he is very intelligent.

4

Não há nada que ele não diga.

There is nothing he won't say.

1

Dizer que ele é um gênio seria um exagero.

To say he is a genius would be an exaggeration.

2

Quem sou eu para dizer o contrário?

Who am I to say otherwise?

3

Diz-se que a verdade liberta.

It is said that the truth sets you free.

4

Ele tem muito a dizer sobre o assunto.

He has a lot to say about the subject.

Easily Confused

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell) vs Dizer vs Falar

Both mean to speak/say.

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell) vs Dizer vs Contar

Both mean to tell.

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell) vs Dizer vs Perguntar

Both involve speech.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu dizo

✓

Eu digo

Dizer is irregular.
✗

Ele dize

✓

Ele diz

The form is 'diz'.
✗

Eu falo a verdade

✓

Eu digo a verdade

Use dizer for content.
✗

Dizer que...

✓

Ele diz que...

Need to conjugate.
✗

Você dizem

✓

Você diz

Wrong subject agreement.
✗

Eu digo que ele vir

✓

Eu digo que ele vem

Need conjugated verb.
✗

Dizer-me

✓

Diga-me

Imperative form needed.
✗

Eu digo de que...

✓

Eu digo que...

No preposition needed.
✗

Ele dizia que ele vai

✓

Ele dizia que ele ia

Sequence of tenses.
✗

Dizer para ele

✓

Dizer a ele

Dizer takes indirect object.
✗

Diz-se que ele é dito

✓

Diz-se que ele disse

Passive voice error.
✗

Ele não diz nada de novo

✓

Ele não diz nada de novo

Correct, but check context.
✗

Dizer-se

✓

Dizer-se

Check reflexive usage.

Sentence Patterns

Eu ___ que sim.

O que você ___?

Eles ___ a verdade.

___-me o que aconteceu.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Diz aí, o que você quer?

Job Interview common

O que você diz sobre suas habilidades?

Social Media very common

Dizem que este filme é incrível!

Travel common

Como se diz 'obrigado'?

Food Delivery occasional

O app diz que o pedido chegou.

Classroom very common

O professor diz que é importante.

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💡

Focus on Digo

The 'eu' form is the most irregular. Memorize it first.
⚠️

Don't use Dizo

There is no 'dizo'. Always use 'digo'.
🎯

Use 'que'

Always use 'que' after 'dizer' when reporting speech.
💬

Diz aí

Use 'diz aí' to sound like a native Brazilian.

Smart Tips

Always add 'que' after 'dizer'.

Ele diz está bem. → Ele diz que está bem.

Ask yourself: is it the content or the act?

Eu falo que estou feliz. → Eu digo que estou feliz.

Use 'Diga-me' instead of 'Dizer-me'.

Dizer-me a verdade. → Diga-me a verdade.

Use 'diz aí' to start a conversation.

Olá, como vai? → Diz aí, como vai?

Pronunciation

/ˈdi.ɡu/

Digo

The 'g' is soft, like 'go'.

/ˈdʒis/

Diz

The 'z' at the end sounds like 's' in many regions.

Question

Você diz? ↑

Rising pitch at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Digo is the ego (Eu digo). Diz is the biz (Ele diz).

Visual Association

Imagine a person pointing at their mouth (Dizer) while saying 'Digo' to themselves in a mirror.

Rhyme

Eu digo, você diz, a verdade é o que se quis.

Story

I walk into a room and 'Eu digo' (I say) hello. My friend 'Ele diz' (He says) hello back. We 'dizemos' (we say) goodbye.

Word Web

digodizdizemosdizemdizerdiga

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'dizer' about what your friends say today.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'diz aí' is a very common way to say 'tell me' or 'what's up'.

In Portugal, 'dizer' is used more formally in professional settings.

The usage is similar to Portugal but with distinct rhythmic patterns.

Derived from Latin 'dicere'.

Conversation Starters

“

O que você diz sobre o tempo hoje?

“

O que seus pais dizem sobre seu trabalho?

“

O que você diz para alguém que está triste?

“

O que a sociedade diz sobre o sucesso?

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre o que você diz para si mesmo todos os dias.
O que seus amigos dizem sobre seus planos?
Como você diria a verdade em uma situação difícil?
Reflita sobre o que as pessoas dizem sobre a felicidade.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate dizer for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
Eu digo is the correct form.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ que sim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizem
Eles dizem is the correct form.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu dizo a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu digo a verdade
Dizo is incorrect.
Change to negative. Sentence Transformation

Eu digo a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não digo a verdade
Place não before the verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: O que você diz? B: Eu ___ que não.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
First person singular.
Order the words. Sentence Building

que / diz / ela / sim

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela diz que sim
Subject-verb-object.
Sort the forms. Grammar Sorting

Which is the 'nós' form?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizemos
Dizemos is the nós form.
Conjugate for 'Você'. Conjugation Drill

Você ___ isso?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diz
Você diz is the correct form.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate dizer for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
Eu digo is the correct form.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ que sim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizem
Eles dizem is the correct form.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu dizo a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu digo a verdade
Dizo is incorrect.
Change to negative. Sentence Transformation

Eu digo a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não digo a verdade
Place não before the verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: O que você diz? B: Eu ___ que não.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
First person singular.
Order the words. Sentence Building

que / diz / ela / sim

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela diz que sim
Subject-verb-object.
Sort the forms. Grammar Sorting

Which is the 'nós' form?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizemos
Dizemos is the nós form.
Conjugate for 'Você'. Conjugation Drill

Você ___ isso?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diz
Você diz is the correct form.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Nós ___ a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizemos
Conjugate for 'Elas'. Fill in the Blank

Elas ___ que o restaurante é caro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dizem
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

O que você ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diz
Unscramble the sentence. Sentence Reorder

verdade / Eu / a / digo

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu digo a verdade
Fix the error. Error Correction

Eu dizo sempre bom dia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu digo sempre bom dia.
Match the pronoun to the verb form. Match Pairs

Match correctly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Eu : digo","Ele : diz","Tu : dizes","N\u00f3s : dizemos"]
Translate 'They say'. Translation

Translate: They say

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles dizem
Dizer or Falar? Multiple Choice

Ela ___ português muito bem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fala
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Como se ___ 'apple'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diz
Find the mistake. Error Correction

Nós dizemos que sim, mas ela dizes que não.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós dizemos que sim, mas ela diz que não.
Order the words. Sentence Reorder

diz / Ele / disparates / muitos

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele diz muitos disparates
Which fits best? Multiple Choice

Eu ___ que vamos chegar atrasados.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
Translate 'Tell me'. Translation

Translate: Tell me (Imperative/Present)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Diz-me

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

No, it is irregular in the present tense.

You say 'Eu digo'.

Dizer is for content, falar is for the act of speaking.

Yes, but 'perguntar' is more common for asking.

Because the verb is irregular and the correct form is 'digo'.

The 'nós' form is 'dizemos'.

Yes, it is very common in formal writing.

Use 'diga' for 'você' and 'digam' for 'vocês'.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

decir

Pronunciation of 'z' and 'c'.

French moderate

dire

French 'dire' is less flexible.

German low

sagen

Dizer is irregular, sagen is regular.

Japanese low

iu (言う)

No person conjugation in Japanese.

Arabic low

qala (قال)

Root-based conjugation.

Chinese low

shuo (说)

No conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
Next
The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Continue With

B1 Requires

How to Use 'Dizer' in the Past Tense (Preterite)

Overview The verb `dizer` (to say, to tell) is a cornerstone of effective communication in Portuguese. Mastering its pas...
B1 Requires

Saying 'Will Say' in Portuguese (Dizer Future)

Overview Mastering the Portuguese future tense requires an understanding of both its regular formations and its essentia...
B2 Requires

Portuguese Vowel Swap: The Present Subjunctive

Overview The Present Subjunctive, known as the `Presente do Subjuntivo` in Brazil and `Presente do Conjuntivo` in Portu...

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