Decir conjugation and meaning

Use the present forms of decir for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.

Use present estar with diciendo for an action in progress now.

Use present haber with dicho for a completed action connected to the present.

Use present haber, estado and diciendo to emphasize an activity continuing into the present.

Use the preterite when the action of decir is presented as completed in the past.

Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of decir, or for background information.

Use imperfect haber with dicho for an action completed before another past point.

Use the future forms of decir for predictions, promises and future statements.

Use future haber with dicho for an action that will be complete before a future point.

Use the conditional forms of decir for hypothetical or tactful statements.

Use conditional haber with dicho for a hypothetical completed past action.

Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.

Use present-subjunctive haber with dicho for a completed action in a present subjunctive context.

Use these forms for past subjunctive contexts and hypothetical structures; the equivalent -se series is also accepted where supplied.

Use imperfect-subjunctive haber with dicho for an unreal or earlier completed past action.

Choose the affirmative command of decir that matches the person being addressed.

Use no with the matching command form of decir.