decirlo

Decirlo is the infinitive form of the Spanish verb decir with the direct object pronoun lo attached, giving the meaning “to say it” or “to tell it.” It is used whenever the speaker refers to the act of stating something that has been mentioned or is understood from context. The lo pronoun can refer to a proposition, a fact, or a specific statement.

Usage examples illustrate its versatility. Voy a decirlo means “I’m going to say it.” No puedo decirlo ahora translates as “I can’t say it right now.” Decirlo would also be used in a clause like “Decirlo sería arriesgado” (Saying it would be risky). The infinitive can be nominalized to discuss the act itself: “El decirlo puede tener consecuencias” (The act of saying it can have consequences).

Pronouns and variation: when other clitic pronouns accompany decir, forms such as decírmelo (tell it to me) or dímelo (tell me it) appear, and their placement follows standard Spanish pronoun rules. In various tenses and moods, the sequence of pronouns relative to the verb changes, but the basic idea remains “to say it” or “to tell it.”

Morphology and grammar: decir is an irregular verb (digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen), but decirlo maintains the infinitive form equipped with lo. The construction is common in everyday speech, storytelling, instructions, and explanations, where the act of stating a fact or message is central to the communication.

Etymology: from decir (to say) with the neutral neuter pronoun lo attached, a combination that marks the object of the saying and can refer to a statement, idea, or previously mentioned content.