When you're speaking or writing in Spanish and want to clarify something you've just said, es decir is your go-to phrase. It literally translates to "that is to say," but it's used much like "in other words" or "that is" in English.
Think of it as a signal to your listener or reader that you're about to rephrase or explain something more simply or with more detail. It helps ensure your message is clear and understood.
When you're speaking or writing in Spanish and want to clarify something you've just said, es decir is your go-to phrase. It acts like 'that is' or 'in other words' in English, helping to rephrase or elaborate on a previous statement for better understanding. Think of it as a signal to your listener or reader that you're about to provide a more precise or alternative explanation. Using es decir effectively shows a good command of conversational flow and clarity in Spanish, making your communication much smoother. It's especially useful when you want to avoid ambiguity or simply offer a different perspective on the topic at hand. Mastering its use will definitely elevate your Spanish to a more sophisticated level.
When you want to clarify something you've just said, use es decir. It's super handy for rephrasing or explaining in simpler terms. Think of it like saying "that is" or "in other words" in English. It helps ensure your listener really understands your point. So, if you've said something a bit complex, follow it up with es decir and a clearer explanation.
Nível de dificuldade
Short and common phrase.
Straightforward to incorporate into sentences.
Easy to pronounce and use naturally.
Frequently heard in conversation, context usually helps.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Exemplos por nível
Juan es de España, es decir, es español.
Juan is from Spain, that is, he is Spanish.
Tengo dos hermanos, es decir, una hermana y un hermano.
I have two siblings, in other words, one sister and one brother.
No me gusta el café, es decir, prefiero el té.
I don't like coffee, to put it another way, I prefer tea.
Son las ocho, es decir, llegamos tarde.
It's eight o'clock, that is, we are late.
Estudio mucho, es decir, quiero aprender.
I study a lot, in other words, I want to learn.
Ella vive en Madrid, es decir, en la capital.
She lives in Madrid, that is, in the capital.
Tengo hambre, es decir, necesito comer.
I'm hungry, in other words, I need to eat.
No habla inglés, es decir, solo español.
He doesn't speak English, that is, only Spanish.
Juan no pudo venir, es decir, está enfermo.
Juan couldn't come, that is, he's sick.
Estudia mucho para el examen, es decir, necesitas aprobar.
Study a lot for the exam, in other words, you need to pass.
El coche es muy viejo, es decir, tiene más de veinte años.
The car is very old, that is, it's more than twenty years old.
No me gusta el frío, es decir, prefiero el calor.
I don't like the cold, in other words, I prefer the heat.
Ella es abogada, es decir, trabaja con leyes.
She is a lawyer, that is, she works with laws.
Compramos una casa grande, es decir, con cinco habitaciones.
We bought a big house, in other words, with five rooms.
El proyecto fue un fracaso, es decir, no cumplimos los objetivos.
The project was a failure, that is, we didn't meet the objectives.
Tenemos que ser puntuales, es decir, llegar a tiempo.
We have to be punctual, in other words, arrive on time.
El problema principal era la falta de comunicación, es decir, nadie sabía realmente lo que se esperaba de ellos.
The main problem was the lack of communication, in other words, nobody really knew what was expected of them.
Se decidió posponer la reunión hasta la próxima semana, es decir, tendremos más tiempo para preparar la propuesta.
It was decided to postpone the meeting until next week, that is, we will have more time to prepare the proposal.
Su estilo de vida es bastante minimalista, es decir, solo tiene lo estrictamente necesario.
His lifestyle is quite minimalist, to put it another way, he only has the strictly necessary.
Necesitamos aumentar las ventas en un 20%, es decir, generar 100.000 euros adicionales este trimestre.
We need to increase sales by 20%, that is, generate an additional 100,000 euros this quarter.
La situación es insostenible, es decir, si no cambiamos las cosas, el proyecto fracasará.
The situation is unsustainable, in other words, if we don't change things, the project will fail.
Muchos países están experimentando una transición demográfica, es decir, la población está envejeciendo rápidamente.
Many countries are experiencing a demographic transition, that is, the population is aging rapidly.
El objetivo de la investigación es encontrar una cura para la enfermedad, es decir, erradicarla por completo.
The objective of the research is to find a cure for the disease, in other words, to eradicate it completely.
La empresa ha implementado nuevas políticas de flexibilidad laboral, es decir, los empleados pueden trabajar desde casa dos días a la semana.
The company has implemented new flexible work policies, to put it another way, employees can work from home two days a week.
La situación es complicada, es decir, hay muchos factores interconectados que dificultan encontrar una solución simple.
The situation is complicated, that is, there are many interconnected factors that make it difficult to find a simple solution.
Su argumento carece de fundamento lógico, es decir, no hay pruebas que respalden sus afirmaciones.
His argument lacks logical basis, in other words, there's no evidence to support his claims.
Necesitamos optimizar los procesos, es decir, hacerlos más eficientes y rentables.
We need to optimize the processes, to put it another way, make them more efficient and profitable.
El proyecto se ha retrasado indefinidamente, es decir, no hay una fecha estimada de finalización.
The project has been delayed indefinitely, that is, there's no estimated completion date.
La empresa busca expandirse a nuevos mercados, es decir, aumentar su presencia global.
The company seeks to expand into new markets, in other words, increase its global presence.
Su comportamiento fue inaceptable, es decir, cruzó la línea de lo que se considera profesional.
His behavior was unacceptable, to put it another way, he crossed the line of what is considered professional.
La conferencia abordó temas complejos, es decir, se discutieron desde la inteligencia artificial hasta la bioética.
The conference addressed complex topics, that is, everything from artificial intelligence to bioethics was discussed.
Debemos fomentar la colaboración interdepartamental, es decir, que los equipos trabajen juntos para lograr objetivos comunes.
We must encourage interdepartmental collaboration, in other words, for teams to work together to achieve common goals.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
No tengo dinero, es decir, no puedo comprarlo.
I don't have money, that is, I can't buy it.
Ella es muy inteligente, es decir, saca buenas notas.
She is very intelligent, in other words, she gets good grades.
Mañana hay examen, es decir, necesito estudiar mucho.
Tomorrow there's an exam, to put it another way, I need to study a lot.
El coche está roto, es decir, no podemos ir.
The car is broken, that is, we can't go.
Él es médico, es decir, ayuda a la gente.
He is a doctor, in other words, he helps people.
La película es larga, es decir, dura tres horas.
The movie is long, that is, it lasts three hours.
Hace frío, es decir, ponte un abrigo.
It's cold, in other words, put on a coat.
No entiendo, es decir, ¿puedes repetirlo?
I don't understand, that is, can you repeat it?
Ella es mi hermana, es decir, somos familia.
She is my sister, in other words, we are family.
Es un día festivo, es decir, no hay trabajo.
It's a holiday, that is, there's no work.
Expressões idiomáticas
"Estar como una cabra"
To be crazy/nuts.
Mi abuela está como una cabra, siempre sale en pijama a la calle. (My grandmother is crazy, she always goes out in her pajamas.)
informal"Tirar la casa por la ventana"
To spare no expense, to go all out.
Para la boda de su hija, tiraron la casa por la ventana. (For their daughter's wedding, they spared no expense.)
neutral"No tener pelos en la lengua"
To be very direct/blunt, to not mince words.
Mi jefe no tiene pelos en la lengua, siempre dice lo que piensa. (My boss doesn't mince words, he always says what he thinks.)
neutral"Ser pan comido"
To be a piece of cake, very easy.
El examen de matemáticas fue pan comido. (The math exam was a piece of cake.)
informal"Ponerse las pilas"
To get a move on, to get to work, to get your act together.
Si quieres aprobar el curso, tienes que ponerte las pilas. (If you want to pass the course, you have to get to work.)
neutral"Estar en la luna"
To be daydreaming, to be out of it.
El profesor le preguntó algo, pero Juan estaba en la luna. (The teacher asked him something, but Juan was daydreaming.)
informal"Meter la pata"
To mess up, to put one's foot in one's mouth.
Metí la pata cuando le pregunté por su ex-novio. (I put my foot in my mouth when I asked him about his ex-boyfriend.)
neutral"Buscarle tres pies al gato"
To look for trouble, to overcomplicate things.
No busques tres pies al gato, la solución es muy sencilla. (Don't overcomplicate things, the solution is very simple.)
neutral"De tal palo, tal astilla"
Like father, like son; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Su hijo es tan testarudo como él, de tal palo, tal astilla. (His son is as stubborn as he is, like father, like son.)
neutral"Costar un ojo de la cara"
To cost an arm and a leg, to be very expensive.
Ese coche debe costar un ojo de la cara. (That car must cost an arm and a leg.)
neutralComo usar
Use es decir to clarify something you just said. It's like saying 'that is to say' or 'in other words' in English. It helps to explain or rephrase information for better understanding.
Examples:
- No tengo mucho tiempo, es decir, tengo que irme pronto. (I don't have much time, that is, I have to leave soon.)
- Ella es mi hermana mayor, es decir, tiene dos años más que yo. (She is my older sister, in other words, she is two years older than me.)
- Compramos una casa pequeña, es decir, tiene solo dos habitaciones. (We bought a small house, to put it another way, it only has two rooms.)
A common mistake is to translate 'es decir' too literally, which might sound unnatural in English. While 'is to say' is a direct translation, 'that is' or 'in other words' are more common and natural alternatives.
Another mistake is using it when a simple 'y' (and) or 'o' (or) would be more appropriate. Es decir implies clarification or rephrasing, not just adding information or offering an alternative.
Incorrect example: Me gusta el café es decir el té. (I like coffee, that is, tea.) - This doesn't make sense because it's not clarifying, it's presenting an alternative. Correct: Me gusta el café o el té.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'es decir' as 'ESS-entially, DECISIVEly, you're saying something new.' It helps you ESSENTIALLY rephrase what you're DECISIVELY trying to convey.
Associação visual
Imagine a person speaking, then pausing, and then a thought bubble appears with 'es decir' as they clarify what they just said. Like a thought bubble clarifying another thought bubble.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to use 'es decir' at least three times today in your Spanish thoughts or conversations. For example, describe your morning routine and then use 'es decir' to clarify a detail. 'Me levanté temprano, es decir, a las seis de la mañana.'
Teste-se 42 perguntas
Listen to a common Spanish greeting.
Listen for someone introducing themselves.
Listen for a simple statement about owning a pet.
Read this aloud:
Soy de España.
Focus: España
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Me gusta la pizza.
Focus: gusta
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
¿Cuántos años tienes?
Focus: Cuántos
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You want to explain that 'casa' means 'house'. How would you say this using 'es decir'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Casa, es decir, house.
Your friend asks what 'perro' means. Explain, using 'es decir', that it means 'dog'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Perro, es decir, dog.
You are describing an apple, 'una manzana'. You want to clarify that it's a 'red fruit'. Write a sentence using 'es decir'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La manzana es una fruta, es decir, una fruta roja.
What does the speaker like?
Read this passage:
Me gusta la comida sana, es decir, las frutas y verduras.
What does the speaker like?
The phrase 'es decir' clarifies that 'comida sana' refers to 'frutas y verduras', which are healthy foods.
The phrase 'es decir' clarifies that 'comida sana' refers to 'frutas y verduras', which are healthy foods.
What kind of animal does the brother have?
Read this passage:
Mi hermano tiene un gato, es decir, un animal pequeño con pelo.
What kind of animal does the brother have?
'Es decir' clarifies that a 'gato' is a 'small furry animal'.
'Es decir' clarifies that a 'gato' is a 'small furry animal'.
What color is the car?
Read this passage:
El coche es azul, es decir, de color azul.
What color is the car?
'Es decir' directly states that the car is 'de color azul' (blue).
'Es decir' directly states that the car is 'de color azul' (blue).
This sentence introduces someone's profession. 'Ella' means 'She', 'es' means 'is', 'una' means 'a', and 'doctora' means 'doctor'.
This sentence expresses possession. 'Yo' means 'I', 'tengo' means 'have', 'un' means 'a', and 'perro' means 'dog'.
This sentence describes an object. 'El' means 'The', 'libro' means 'book', 'es' means 'is', and 'rojo' means 'red'.
Listen for 'es decir' and understand the rephrasing.
Pay attention to the correction or clarification after 'es decir'.
Identify 'es decir' introducing a more specific detail.
Read this aloud:
Mi hermano es muy alto, es decir, mide casi dos metros.
Focus: es decir
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Estoy cansado, es decir, necesito dormir.
Focus: Es decir, necesito
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
No hablo francés, es decir, solo un poco.
Focus: es decir, solo
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the best way to rephrase the sentence using 'es decir': 'No puedo ir a la fiesta. Tengo que trabajar.'
'Es decir' introduces a rephrasing or clarification of the preceding statement.
Which option uses 'es decir' correctly to clarify the first part of the sentence?
'Bilingüe' means speaking two languages, so 'habla dos idiomas' is a direct clarification.
Select the sentence where 'es decir' is used to provide an alternative explanation for the initial statement.
The delay of the bus provides an alternative explanation for not arriving on time.
You can use 'es decir' to introduce a direct contradiction of a previous statement.
'Es decir' is used for clarification, rephrasing, or adding more detail, not for contradiction.
The phrase 'es decir' always comes at the beginning of a sentence.
'Es decir' can be used in the middle of a sentence to connect and clarify clauses.
'Es decir' can be replaced by 'en otras palabras' without changing the meaning of the sentence.
'En otras palabras' is a common synonym for 'es decir', both meaning 'in other words'.
This sentence uses 'es decir' to clarify that the theory being complex means it's difficult to understand.
Here, 'es decir' explains that the project being a great challenge implies it will need a lot of effort and dedication.
This sentence uses 'es decir' to clarify what the manager's dissatisfaction means in terms of his expectations.
You are explaining a complex scientific theory to a lay audience. Use 'es decir' to clarify a key concept that might be easily misunderstood. Ensure your explanation maintains an accessible tone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La teoría de la relatividad nos dice que el tiempo no es absoluto, es decir, su paso puede variar dependiendo del observador y su velocidad. Esto significa que dos personas experimentarán el tiempo de forma diferente bajo ciertas condiciones.
Write a short paragraph for a formal business proposal. Use 'es decir' to rephrase a strategic objective in simpler terms for stakeholders who may not be familiar with industry jargon.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nuestra meta principal es optimizar la cadena de suministro global, es decir, queremos mejorar la eficiencia de la producción y distribución de nuestros productos en todo el mundo para reducir costos y tiempos de entrega significativamente.
Compose a journal entry reflecting on a personal challenge or decision. Use 'es decir' to articulate the core dilemma or the underlying reason for your choice, providing a deeper insight into your thoughts.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hoy me enfrento a una encrucijada laboral: debo elegir entre la estabilidad y la oportunidad. Es decir, ¿prefiero un camino seguro y predecible, o me arriesgo por un potencial de crecimiento mayor pero incierto? Mi corazón se inclina por lo segundo.
¿Qué explica la frase 'es decir' en el pasaje?
Read this passage:
El fenómeno de la gentrificación, es decir, el proceso de transformación urbana en el que una zona de bajos ingresos es revitalizada y habitada por clases sociales con mayor poder adquisitivo, a menudo desplaza a sus residentes originales debido al aumento de los alquileres y el costo de vida. Este cambio tiene profundas implicaciones socioeconómicas y culturales para las comunidades afectadas.
¿Qué explica la frase 'es decir' en el pasaje?
La frase 'es decir' se utiliza para introducir una aclaración o una definición del término 'gentrificación', explicando en otras palabras de qué se trata el fenómeno.
La frase 'es decir' se utiliza para introducir una aclaración o una definición del término 'gentrificación', explicando en otras palabras de qué se trata el fenómeno.
¿Cuál es la idea principal que 'es decir' ayuda a clarificar en el texto?
Read this passage:
La sostenibilidad energética es un pilar fundamental para el futuro, es decir, la capacidad de satisfacer las necesidades energéticas actuales sin comprometer la capacidad de las generaciones futuras para satisfacer las suyas propias. Esto implica una transición hacia fuentes renovables y un uso eficiente de los recursos.
¿Cuál es la idea principal que 'es decir' ayuda a clarificar en el texto?
En este contexto, 'es decir' introduce una definición detallada de lo que se entiende por 'sostenibilidad energética', rephrasing el concepto para una mejor comprensión.
En este contexto, 'es decir' introduce una definición detallada de lo que se entiende por 'sostenibilidad energética', rephrasing el concepto para una mejor comprensión.
Según el pasaje, ¿qué concepto es clarificado por 'es decir'?
Read this passage:
El libre albedrío, es decir, la facultad de los seres humanos para tomar sus propias decisiones de forma autónoma y sin coacción externa, es un concepto central en la filosofía y la ética. Su existencia ha sido objeto de debate durante siglos, con implicaciones profundas para la responsabilidad moral y legal.
Según el pasaje, ¿qué concepto es clarificado por 'es decir'?
'Es decir' se utiliza aquí para definir 'libre albedrío' como la capacidad de los seres humanos para tomar decisiones de forma autónoma, lo que se relaciona directamente con la opción correcta.
'Es decir' se utiliza aquí para definir 'libre albedrío' como la capacidad de los seres humanos para tomar decisiones de forma autónoma, lo que se relaciona directamente con la opción correcta.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Conteúdo relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de communication
acento
A2A distinctive manner of pronunciation; a stress on a syllable.
aceptar
A1To accept.
acerca de
A2On the subject of; regarding; about.
acertado
A2Correct, appropriate, or well-chosen.
aclaración
A2Clarification, the action of making something clearer.
aclarar
B1To make something clearer or easier to understand; to clarify.
aconsejar
A2To advise; to give counsel or guidance.
acuerdo
A2An agreement or a mutual understanding.
de acuerdo
A1okay, agreed
Adiós
A1Goodbye
