Using dicho, dicha, dichos, dichas to say this/these (formal)
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Learn about the Spanish dicho, dicha, dichos, dichas
There is an adjective in Spanish, dicho, that is used in more formal contexts and is synonymous with the more commonly used this/these (este, esta, estos, estas).
It can be translated as said or the aforementioned. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it is accompanying:
| Masculine |
Feminine |
|
|
Singular (this) |
dicho |
dicha |
|
Plural (these) |
dichos |
dichas |
Have a look and listen to this example:
El Señor Ramírez es el director en la empresa. Dicho director ha trabajado aquí mucho tiempo.Mr. Ramírez is the director of the company. Said director has worked here for many years.
In order to use this adjective, the object or person it is referring to must have been mentioned in the previous sentence/s.
Here are more examples:
Ikea supera sus ventas cada año. Dicha compañía parece ser la más popular en cuanto a mobiliario de casa.Ikea surpasses its sales every year. This company seems to be the most popular in terms of home furniture.
Es necesario firmar los papeles para el divorcio. Dichos documentos deben ser guardados en lugar seguro.It is necessary to sign the papers for divorce. The aforementioned documents must be kept in a safe place.
Todos deberíamos usar bombillas de bajo consumo. Dichas bombillas duran más y son ecológicas.We should all use low consumption bulbs. These bulbs last longer and are eco friendy.
Dicho/dicha/dichos/dichas + noun = This/these [previously mentioned] + noun.
Careful not to use any article in front of dicho/dicha/dichos/dichas:
El dicho periódico fue acusado de conservador.
The aforementioned newspaper was accused of being old-fashioned.
Bear in mind that you will generally find this in formal texts or conversations, for example in newspaper articles or legal documents.
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