Spanish grammar
Dicen que, se dice que, al parecer
Pass on rumours, using dicen que, se dice que, al parecer, and the future for guesses.
From the scene Dicen que el actor… (They say the actor…)
In short
Pass on rumours with dicen que, se dice que or al parecer. Guess with the future: será muy famoso.
- they say (that)... dicen que...
- it's said (that)... se dice que...
- apparently al parecer
- he must be (a guess) será...
Your turn
Which one goes with it's said (that)...?
Options: al parecer · se dice que... · dicen que...
Show answer
it's said (that)... → se dice que...
How it works
To pass on a rumour without saying who told you, use dicen que (they say that), se dice que (it's said that) or al parecer (apparently), followed by a normal indicative sentence.
Good to know
To guess, use the future: será muy famoso (he must be very famous).
they say (that)... dicen que...
Elena
Dicen que el actor tiene una suite enorme.
They say the actor has a huge suite.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) el actor tiene una suite enorme.
Options: Al parecer · Dicen que · Se dice que
Show answer
Elena
Dicen que el actor tiene una suite enorme.
They say the actor has a huge suite.
it's said (that)... se dice que...
Elena
Se dice que firma autógrafos por la ventana.
It's said that he signs autographs through the window.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) firma autógrafos por la ventana.
Options: Al parecer · Se dice que · Dicen que
Show answer
Elena
Se dice que firma autógrafos por la ventana.
It's said that he signs autographs through the window.
apparently al parecer
Elena
Al parecer, lleva gafas oscuras día y noche.
Apparently, he wears dark glasses day and night.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), lleva gafas oscuras día y noche.
Options: Al parecer · Dicen que · Se dice que
Show answer
Elena
Al parecer, lleva gafas oscuras día y noche.
Apparently, he wears dark glasses day and night.
he must be (a guess) será...
Tomás
Será muy famoso, entonces.
He must be very famous, then.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) muy famoso, entonces.
Options: Se dice que · Será · Dicen que
Show answer
Tomás
Será muy famoso, entonces.
He must be very famous, then.
Common mistake
Not Seré or Serás here. Él (el actor).
Será muy famoso, entonces.
He must be very famous, then.
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
| they say (that)... | dicen que... |
|---|---|
| it's said (that)... | se dice que... |
| apparently | al parecer |
| he must be (a guess) | será... |
More lines from the story
- ElenaPues... se dice. Bueno... lo digo yo.Well... people say. OK... I say it.
- Tomás¿Neta? ¿Y qué más se dice?Seriously? And what else are people saying?