decíasvsdecimeWhat's the difference?

Which to use

“decías” and “decime” are a confusable Spanish pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.

#15,066
“decías” frequency rank
#13,434
“decime” frequency rank
28500
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature decías decime
Definition Segunda persona del singular (tú, vos) del pretérito imperfecto de indicativo de decir. Decí (vos), con el enclítico me (pronombre).

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set decías and decime apart are highlighted. They share 3 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

6 ch
decías
6 ch
decime

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

A purely visual mix-up. decías ([d̪eˈsias]) and decime ([d̪eˈsime]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 3 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 28500, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

decías is recorded at frequency rank #15,066, classified as averb, pronounced [d̪eˈsias]. decime is at rank #13,434, tagged as averb, pronounced [d̪eˈsime].

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 28500, this pair ranks #221,730 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.

Orthographic DNA of decías vs decime

Shared letters: cde. Private to "decías": así. Private to "decime": im.

"decías" · 6 letters · shape CVCVVC  ·  "decime" · 6 letters · shape CVCVCV

Known mistypes of this pair

  • decimedceime · ddecime · deccime · deciem · decimme · decmie · deicme · desime

Frequency comparison

decías#15,066
decime#13,434

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "decías" and "decime" be used interchangeably?
No. They are said differently ([d̪eˈsias] versus [d̪eˈsime]) and carry different meanings; reading the sentence aloud is usually enough to catch the wrong one.
Which is more common, "decías" or "decime"?
"decime" is the more common of the two: it sits at frequency rank #13,434 in our Spanish list, against #15,066 for "decías". The two are close in frequency, so neither is a safe default; check the meaning rather than guessing.

Remembering decías vs decime

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “decías” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list