How to Say in Spanish: Cómo Decir Examples & Usage

"How to say" in Spanish is one of the most useful phrases any learner can master. With just this one question structure, you unlock the ability to learn any new word or phrase through natural conversation.

Emma, learning Spanish for a trip to Argentina, discovered that memorizing vocabulary lists wasn't working. But when she learned to ask "¿Cómo se dice...?" she could learn new words directly from native speakers, in context, making them much easier to remember.

Here's everything you need to know about asking "how to say" in Spanish.

The Essential Phrase: ¿Cómo se dice...?

The most common and useful form is:

¿Cómo se dice...? — How do you say...? (formal/impersonal)

This phrase works in any situation—with teachers, strangers, friends, or AI tutors. It's polite, correct, and universally understood.

How to Use It

Simply add the English word (or describe what you want to say) after the phrase:

• "¿Cómo se dice 'hello' en español?" — How do you say 'hello' in Spanish? → Answer: "Hola"
• "¿Cómo se dice 'I'm hungry'?" — How do you say 'I'm hungry'? → Answer: "Tengo hambre"
• "¿Cómo se dice esto?" — How do you say this? (pointing at something)

Emma used this phrase constantly during her trip. Every time she didn't know a word, she asked. Within two weeks, her vocabulary had grown dramatically—and everything stuck because she learned in real contexts.

Formal vs. Informal Versions

Formal: ¿Cómo se dice...?

This uses the impersonal "se" construction, which literally means "how is it said?" It's appropriate for:

• Teachers and tutors
• Strangers and new acquaintances
• Professional situations
• Anyone you'd address with "usted"

Informal: ¿Cómo dices...?

This directly addresses someone as "tú" and asks "how do you (personally) say it?" Use with:

• Friends and family
• People your age in casual settings
• When asking about personal preferences or regional variations

Example: "¿Cómo dices 'car' en tu país?" — How do you say 'car' in your country? (Asking about regional variation: carro, coche, auto, etc.)

Related Questions Every Learner Needs

Once you master "¿Cómo se dice...?" add these related questions to your toolkit:

¿Qué significa...? (What does...mean?)

When you hear a word you don't understand:

• "¿Qué significa 'hermoso'?" — What does 'hermoso' mean? → Answer: Beautiful
• "¿Qué significa eso?" — What does that mean?

¿Cómo se pronuncia...? (How do you pronounce...?)

When you've seen a word but aren't sure how to say it:

• "¿Cómo se pronuncia 'lluvia'?" — How do you pronounce 'lluvia'?
• "¿Cómo se pronuncia esta palabra?" — How do you pronounce this word?

¿Cómo se escribe...? (How do you spell...?)

When you hear a word but want to write it down:

• "¿Cómo se escribe 'cerveza'?" — How do you spell 'cerveza'?
• "¿Cómo se escribe tu nombre?" — How do you spell your name?

¿Puede repetir? / ¿Puedes repetir? (Can you repeat?)

When you didn't catch something:

• "¿Puede repetir, por favor?" — Can you repeat, please? (formal)
• "¿Puedes repetir?" — Can you repeat? (informal)

Common Scenarios and Examples

In a Language Class

• "Profesora, ¿cómo se dice 'homework' en español?" — Teacher, how do you say 'homework' in Spanish?
• "¿Qué significa 'tarea'?" — What does 'tarea' mean?

In Daily Conversation

• "¿Cómo se dice esto en español?" — How do you say this in Spanish? (pointing)
• "Perdón, no conozco la palabra. ¿Cómo se dice 'airport'?" — Sorry, I don't know the word. How do you say 'airport'?

At a Restaurant

• "¿Cómo se dice 'the check'?" — How do you say 'the check'? → Answer: "La cuenta"
• "¿Qué significa 'mariscos'?" — What does 'mariscos' mean? → Answer: Seafood

With AI Tutors

Using these phrases with AI tutors is perfect practice:

• "¿Cómo se dice 'I would like to order'?" — You'll learn: "Me gustaría pedir"
• "¿Qué significa la expresión 'tener ganas de'?" — You'll learn it means "to feel like (doing something)"

Why This Phrase Accelerates Learning

Learning vocabulary through conversation using "¿Cómo se dice...?" is more effective than memorizing word lists because:

Context: You learn words when you actually need them, making them immediately useful and memorable.

Active learning: Asking questions engages your brain more than passive reading.

Real usage: You hear the answer in a natural sentence, learning not just the word but how to use it.

Immediate practice: You can immediately use the new word in your next sentence.

Emma noticed that words she learned through conversation stuck much better than words from flashcards. When she learned "propina" (tip) at a restaurant after asking "¿Cómo se dice 'tip'?" she never forgot it—the context was memorable.

Quick Reference Chart

Master This Phrase Through Practice

The best way to internalize "¿Cómo se dice...?" is through daily use. Every time you encounter a word you don't know, ask the question—whether you're with a teacher, a friend, or an AI tutor.

If you're looking for unlimited practice with these essential phrases, try Parlai on WhatsApp. Ask "¿Cómo se dice...?" as many times as you want, get instant answers, and watch your vocabulary grow naturally through conversation.

Remember: Emma built a powerful vocabulary not through memorization, but by asking questions every time she didn't know a word. That one phrase—"¿Cómo se dice...?"—became her most valuable learning tool.