diríamos

Diríamos is the first-person plural form of the conditional mood of the Spanish verb decir (to say, to tell). It translates most directly as “we would say” or “we would tell.” This form is used to express actions that are hypothetical or dependent on a condition, or to soften statements and give advice in a cautious way.

Morphology and conjugation: Diríamos is formed from the infinitive decir with the conditional endings -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían. The stem for the conditional is dir-, which reflects a irregular root change from decir. The form does not vary for gender or number beyond the plural first-person subject.

Usage and examples: Diríamos can introduce statements about what would be said under certain conditions, or what would be said to others given a scenario. Examples: “Si nos llamaran, diríamos que estamos ocupados.” “Qué diríamos si ganáramos la lotería.” It often appears in hypothetical or polite discourse. It is distinct from forms like diríamos vs. decíamos (imperfect of decir) or dijéramos (imperfect subjunctive).

Relationship to other tenses: Diríamos contrasts with the imperfect indicative decíamos (we used to say) and with the imperfect subjunctive dijéramos (we would say, in a past-subjunctive sense). Understanding its conditional meaning helps differentiate it from those related forms.

Etymology: Diríamos derives from decir, which comes from Latin dicere.