Introduction
Learning how to use the verb Dizer is essential for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains the most common meanings, simple conjugations, everyday phrases, and practical tips so you can start saying things naturally in real situations.
- What does Dizer mean?
- Essential conjugations for beginners
- Common phrases with Dizer
- How to use Dizer with direct and indirect speech
- Using prepositions: dizer para vs dizer a
- Helpful verbs often used with Dizer
- Polite and informal ways to use Dizer
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practice activities for beginners
- Real-life mini dialogues
- Quick reference cheat-sheet
- Tips for remembering irregular forms
- Additional everyday vocabulary featuring Dizer
- Conclusion
What does Dizer mean?
Dizer means to say, to tell, or to express something with words. It is irregular and very common in spoken and written Brazilian Portuguese. You will see it in conversations, signs, messages, and menus where someone reports information or quotes someone else.
Basic meanings and English equivalents
To say something: dizer que eu estou aqui = to say that I am here.
To tell someone something: dizer para alguém = to tell someone.
To report speech: dizer as palavras de outra pessoa = to report another person’s words.
Essential conjugations for beginners
Start with present, past (pretérito perfeito), and future simple — the forms you will meet most often. Below are short tables with simple examples you can practice aloud.
Present tense (Presente)
Eu digo — I say
Você diz — You say (formal or informal in Brazil, commonly você)
Ele/Ela diz — He/She says
Nós dizemos — We say
Vocês dizem — You all say
Eles/Elas dizem — They say
Example: Eu digo a verdade.
Translation: I say the truth.
Past simple (Pretérito Perfeito)
Eu disse — I said
Você disse — You said
Ele/Ela disse — He/She said
Nós dissemos — We said
Vocês disseram — You all said
Eles/Elas disseram — They said
Example: Ela disse que chega às 18h.
Translation: She said she will arrive at 6 PM.
Future simple (Futuro do Presente)
Eu direi — I will say
Você dirá — You will say
Ele/Ela dirá — He/She will say
Nós diremos — We will say
Vocês dirão — You all will say
Eles/Elas dirão — They will say
Example: Nós diremos a resposta amanhã.
Translation: We will say the answer tomorrow.
Common phrases with Dizer
Here are everyday expressions that use Dizer. Save and practice them in real dialogues.
Dizer a verdade — to tell the truth
Dizer bom dia — to say good morning
Dizer o nome — to say the name
Dizer a hora — to tell the time
Dizer que sim / dizer que não — to say yes / to say no
Dizer olá — to say hello
Short situational examples
At a café: Você pode dizer seu pedido?
Translation: Can you say your order?
On the phone: Ele disse que liga mais tarde.
Translation: He said he will call later.
At work: Preciso dizer a verdade ao chefe.
Translation: I need to tell the truth to the boss.
With friends: O que ela disse?
Translation: What did she say?
How to use Dizer with direct and indirect speech
Dizer often introduces what someone said. Beginners should know how to form direct quotes and indirect reported speech.
Direct speech
Direct speech reproduces exact words, usually with punctuation in writing. Example for conversation practice:
Maria: Eu estou cansada.
João: Ela disse, Eu estou cansada.
Translation: Maria: I am tired. João: She said, I am tired.
Indirect speech
Indirect speech reports the idea without quoting exactly and may change pronouns and verb tense. Example:
Maria disse que estava cansada.
Translation: Maria said that she was tired.
Using prepositions: dizer para vs dizer a
Both dizer para and dizer a are used to indicate the person who receives the information. In Brazilian Portuguese, dizer para is very common in spoken language and is safe for beginners.
Dizer para alguém — more natural in conversation.
Example: Eu disse para o João.
Translation: I told João.
Dizer a alguém — also correct, slightly more formal.
Example: Eu disse a minha mãe.
Translation: I told my mother.
Helpful verbs often used with Dizer
These verbs appear frequently together with Dizer in realistic contexts. Learn them to sound natural.
Falar — to speak
Perguntar — to ask
Responder — to answer
Contar — to tell a story or to count
Repetir — to repeat
Example combining verbs: Ele disse e depois perguntou novamente.
Translation: He said and then asked again.
Polite and informal ways to use Dizer
In Brazilian Portuguese, politeness often relies on tone and context. Use vocês or você depending on formality — both use the same Dizer conjugations shown earlier.
Polite: Poderia me dizer onde fica o banco?
Translation: Could you tell me where the bank is?
Informal: Me diz a senha?
Translation: Tell me the password?
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Here are errors learners often make with Dizer and simple fixes.
Mistake: Using falar instead of dizer when reporting speech.
Fix: Use dizer when you report what someone said: Ele disse que vem hoje.
Mistake: Wrong preposition — saying digo para com alguém.
Fix: Use para or a: Eu disse para ele. or Eu disse a ele.
Mistake: Forgetting irregular past form disse.
Fix: Memorize Eu disse / Ele disse — not *dizou.
Practice activities for beginners
Short exercises you can do daily to internalize Dizer.
1. Listen and repeat: Find short dialogues and repeat lines that use digo, disse, diz.
2. Transform direct to indirect: Write three short direct quotes you hear, then convert them to reported speech using disse.
3. Fill-in-the-blank: Create sentences with blanks and practice: Ela _____ que não podia. (Answer: disse)
4. Role-play: With a partner, take turns asking and answering using dizer para: Eu disse para você onde é a loja? Você disse para mim? etc.
Real-life mini dialogues
These short interactions are realistic and useful for travel, shopping, or messaging.
At a store: Cliente: Quanto custa?
Vendedor: O preço está no rótulo. Cliente: Você pode me dizer o preço?
Translation: Can you tell me the price?
Making plans: Ana: Vamos sair às 20h?
Bruno: Eu disse que prefiro às 21h.
Translation: I said I prefer at 9 PM.
Phone message: Mensagem: Te liguei ontem. Ela disse que está bem.
Translation: I called you yesterday. She said she is fine.
Quick reference cheat-sheet
Present: eu digo / ele diz
Past: eu disse / ele disse
Future: eu direi / ele dirá
Common preposition: dizer para (safe for spoken Brazilian Portuguese)
Tips for remembering irregular forms
Associate disse with said: both are short past forms. Practice with simple sentences: Eu disse, Você disse, Ele disse. Repeat these aloud until they feel natural.
Use flashcards with the infinitive on one side and common conjugations on the other. Add one practical example sentence per card to link meaning and use.
Additional everyday vocabulary featuring Dizer
Mensagem — message
Telefone — phone
Hora — time
Pedido — order
Resposta — answer
Example combining words: Recebi uma mensagem: Ele disse a hora do encontro.
Translation: I received a message: He said the meeting time.
Conclusion
Mastering Dizer gives you a powerful tool to report speech, ask questions, and share information in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on present, past, and future forms, use dizer para for conversation, and practice with short realistic dialogs to build confidence quickly.
