Spanish grammar
Dice que…, pregunta si… (no tense change)
Pass on what someone is saying or asking right now.
From the scene Dice que llega tarde (He says he's running late)
In short
When passing on words as they're said, keep the tense: dice que llega tarde. For yes / no questions, use pregunta si.
- says he's arriving dice que llega
- says there is dice que hay
- asks if we have pregunta si tenemos
- asks if he can pregunta si puede
Your turn
Which one goes with says there is?
Options: pregunta si tenemos · dice que hay · dice que llega
Show answer
says there is → dice que hay
How it works
When you pass on words as they are said (like on the phone), the verb keeps its tense: «llego tarde» → dice que llega tarde.
Good to know
For a yes/no question use pregunta si (asks if / whether): «¿tenéis ascensor?» → pregunta si tenemos ascensor.
says he's arriving dice que llega
Javi
Dice que llega tarde.
He says he's arriving late.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) tarde.
Options: Dice que hay · Pregunta si tenemos · Dice que llega
Show answer
Javi
Dice que llega tarde.
He says he's arriving late.
says there is dice que hay
Javi
Dice que hay mucho tráfico.
He says there's a lot of traffic.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) mucho tráfico.
Options: Pregunta si tenemos · Dice que hay · Dice que llega
Show answer
Javi
Dice que hay mucho tráfico.
He says there's a lot of traffic.
asks if we have pregunta si tenemos
Javi
Pregunta si tenemos ascensor.
He asks if we have a lift.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) ascensor.
Options: Dice que hay · Pregunta si tenemos · Dice que llega
Show answer
Javi
Pregunta si tenemos ascensor.
He asks if we have a lift.
asks if he can pregunta si puede
Javi
También pregunta si puede aparcar aquí.
He also asks if he can park here.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
También (blank) aparcar aquí.
Options: pregunta si puede · dice que llega · dice que hay
Show answer
Javi
También pregunta si puede aparcar aquí.
He also asks if he can park here.
Common mistake
Not que or qué here. A yes/no question.
También pregunta si puede aparcar aquí.
He also asks if he can park here.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| says he's arriving | dice que llega |
|---|---|
| says there is | dice que hay |
| asks if we have | pregunta si tenemos |
| asks if he can | pregunta si puede |
More lines from the story
- JaviListo, cuelgo. Dice que llega en veinte minutos.OK, I'm hanging up. He says he'll be here in twenty minutes.
- NuriaDile que no. Cuarto piso, sin ascensor... como siempre.Tell him no. Fourth floor, no lift... as always.