Hablar and decir: talking and saying in Spanish

Both verbs concern speech, but these common patterns focus on different parts of communication.

The idea

Use hablar de for a topic and hablar con for a conversation partner; use decir to state a message or words.

Hablamos del proyecto.We talk about the project.
Digo la verdad.I tell the truth.
Ella habla con su vecina.She talks with her neighbor.
El cartel dice que la tienda está cerrada.The sign says that the store is closed.
¿Puedes hablar más despacio?Can you speak more slowly?
¿Qué dijo el profesor?What did the teacher say?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

These are useful patterns, not the verbs’ only uses: hablar can also take a language, as in hablar español.

Choose the verb for talking about a topic. ___ del proyecto. (Hablamos / Decimos)
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Hablamos
Hablamos de introduces the topic being discussed.
Choose the verb for telling the truth. Ella ___ la verdad. (dice / habla)
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dice
Dice states the message that someone tells.
Choose the verb for the message on the sign. El cartel ___ que está cerrado. (dice / habla)
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dice
Dice que introduces the message written on the sign.

Describe a topic you discuss, a person you speak with and a message you say using the three patterns.