say

S1 W1

BrE /seɪ/ AmE /seɪ/

verb en → es

past said pp said ing saying

1 STATE/DECLARE [T + obj] A1

to express something in words, usually aloud

decir

say what you think

Collocations say hello · say goodbye

She said that she was tired.

Ella dijo que estaba cansada.

2 REPORT/QUOTE [T + obj] A2

to repeat the exact words of someone else

decir, citar

say to sb

Collocations say a quote · say the truth

The teacher said, 'Practice makes perfect.'

El maestro dijo: 'La práctica hace al maestro'.

3 MEAN/INTEND [T + obj] B1

to mean or intend something by what you say

querer decir, significar

say that

Collocations say sorry · say thank you

What do you say by this?

¿Qué quieres decir con esto?

4 STATE/DECLARE [T + obj] B1

to state something officially or formally

anunciar, declarar

say that

Collocations say the time · say the date

The judge said that he was guilty.

El juez dijo que era culpable.

5 SUGGEST/PROPOSE [T + obj] B1

to suggest or propose something to someone

proponer, sugerir

say that

Collocations say a toast · say grace

I say we go to the beach.

Yo propongo que vayamos a la playa.

6 STATE/DECLARE [T + obj] B1

to state something as an opinion or belief

decir, opinar

say that

Collocations say the truth · say your opinion

I say we should wait.

Yo digo que deberíamos esperar.

7 STATE/DECLARE [T + obj] B1

to state something as a fact or truth

decir, afirmar

say that

Collocations say the time · say the date

It is said that he was born in Mexico.

Se dice que nació en México.

8 STATE/DECLARE [T + obj] B1

to state something as a fact or truth, often with emphasis

decir, afirmar

say that

Collocations say the time · say the date

I say, let's get going!

¡Digo que empecemos a mover!

Phrasal verbs

say no REFUSE/DECLINE A2

decir que no, rechazar

I say no to that idea.

Digo que no a esa idea.

say yes AGREE/ACCEPT A2

decir que sí, aceptar

She said yes to the proposal.

Ella dijo que sí a la propuesta.

say goodbye PARTING/LEAVING A1

despedirse, decir adiós

We said goodbye and left.

Nos despedimos y nos fuimos.

say hello GREETING/HELLO A1

saludar, decir hola

They said hello and sat down.

Ellos dijeron hola y se sentaron.

say sorry APOLOGY/EXCUSE A2

pedir disculpas, decir lo siento

He said sorry for being late.

Él pidió disculpas por llegar tarde.

Idioms

say the least B2

decir lo menos, decir poco

I can say the least about his performance.

Puedo decir poco sobre su actuación.

say it again B1

dilo de nuevo, repite

Say it again; I didn't hear you.

Dilo de nuevo; no te escuché.

say the word B2

dile la palabra, dale el visto bueno

Say the word and we'll start.

Dile la palabra y empezamos.