Learn how to use indirect speech in Spanish with the phrase "decir que" to report what someone says. This lesson covers the structure subject + decir que + action, showing examples like "Juan dice que va al museo" and explaining how verb tenses generally stay in the present tense. Understand the differences between English and Spanish reporting styles, and build essential vocabulary and phrases typical for beginning Spanish learners.
- Indirect speech reformulates sentences. Example: "Él dice que va al museo".
- The structure is sujeto + decir que + acción.
- "Decir que" does not change the verb tense in the present.
| Discurso directo (Direct speech) | Discurso indirecto (Indirect speech) |
|---|---|
| Juan "Voy al museo". (Juan says that he is going to the museum.) | Juan dice que (él) va al museo. (Juan says that he goes to the museum.) |
| Ana: "Me encanta el arte". (Ana says that she loves art.) | Ana dice que le encanta el arte. (Ana says that she loves art.) |
| Pedro: "Escucho la radio". (Pedro says that (he) listens to the radio.) | Pedro dice que (él) escucha la radio. (Pedro says that he listens to the radio.) |
| Eva: "Tengo la invitación". (Eva says that she has the invitation.) | Eva dice que (ella) tiene la invitación. (Eva says that (she) has the invitation.) |
Exercise 1: El discurso indirecto: "Decir que"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
dice que (él) va, dice que le, dice que (él), dice que (ella)
1.
Eva: "Canto bien":
Eva ... canta bien.
(Eva says that she sings well.)
2.
Juan: "Me gusta la música":
Juan ... gusta la música.
(Juan says that he likes music.)
3.
Ana: "Canto en el evento":
Ana ... canta en el evento.
(Ana says that she sings at the event.)
4.
Pedro: "Voy a la discoteca":
Pedro ... va a la discoteca.
(Pedro says that he is going to the nightclub.)
5.
Ana: "Me encanta el museo":
Ana ... encanta el museo.
(Ana says that she loves the museum.)
6.
Eva: "Recibo una invitación":
Eva ... recibe una invitación.
(Eva says that she receives an invitation.)
7.
Juan: "Voy a la discoteca los viernes":
Juan ... va a la discoteca los viernes.
(Juan says that he goes to the nightclub on Fridays.)
8.
Juan: "Voy al concierto el viernes":
Juan ... al concierto el viernes.
(Juan says that he is going to the concert on Friday.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Ana dice que ella ___ en la exposición.
(Ana says that she ___ at the exhibition.)2. Pedro dice que él ___ al museo.
(Pedro says that he ___ to the museum.)3. Eva dice que ___ la invitación para el evento.
(Eva says that ___ the invitation for the event.)4. Juan dice que él ___ la radio todas las mañanas.
(Juan says that he ___ to the radio every morning.)5. Ana dice que ___ gusta la obra de arte en la exposición.
(Ana says that ___ likes the artwork at the exhibition.)6. Pedro dice que él ___ a la discoteca esta noche.
(Pedro says that he ___ to the nightclub tonight.)
