dicere

Usages of dicere

Multi dicunt nomen meum altum esse, sed ego sum discipulus laetus.
(Many say my name is lofty, but I am a happy student.)
Imperator dicit: “Miles fortis erit, sed bellum manebit.”
(The emperor says: “The soldier will be brave, but war will remain.”)
Nuntius dicit: “Mox dea ad urbem ambulabit et templum laetum erit.”
(The messenger says: “Soon the goddess will walk to the city and the temple will be happy.”)
Soror imperatoris dicit: “Miles timidus non studet paci!”
(The emperor’s sister says: “The timid soldier does not study peace!”)
Magister dicit: “Discipuli multum student, et eorum mentes manent fortes.”
(The teacher says: “The students study a lot, and their minds remain strong.”)
Discipulus dicit: "Caelum specto, nam interdum est pulchrum."
The student says: "I look at the sky, for sometimes it is beautiful."
Magistra dicit: “Sine libris bonis bene vivere non possumus.”
The teacher says: “Without good books we cannot live well.”
Mater respondet patri et dicit: "Puer foris currit."
Mother answers father and says: "The boy is running outside."
Mater aures pueri videt et dicit: "Aures tuae purae sunt."
Mother sees the boy's ears and says: "Your ears are clean."
Magistra dicit: "Nolite clamare, sed tacete et silentium amate!"
The (female) teacher says: "Do not shout, but be silent and love the silence!"
Mater filiam vocat et dicit: "Veni huc, quaeso, et mihi veritatem dic."
Mother calls her daughter and says: "Come here, please, and tell me the truth."
Mater addit: "Noli mendacium dicere, sed veritatem iterum dic."
Mother adds: "Do not tell a lie, but tell the truth again."
Pater dicit filio: "Aperi ianuam, quaeso, et deinde in lecto sede."
Father says to his son: "Open the door, please, and then sit on the bed."
Mater autem dicit: "Noli ianuam claudere, quia hospes intus manet."
Mother, however, says: "Do not close the door, because the guest is staying inside."
In silentio noctis filia in mente sua dicit: "Veritas matrem laetam facit, mendacium autem matrem tristem facit; iterum veritatem dicam."
In the silence of the night the daughter says in her mind: "Truth makes mother happy, but a lie makes mother sad; again I will tell the truth."
Nunc medicus dicit infantem sanum esse et mater gaudet.
Now the male doctor says that the baby is healthy and mother rejoices.
Postea dominus numerum pecuniae spectat et dicit pretium tunicae veteris esse nimium.
Afterwards the master looks at the amount of money and says that the price of the old tunic is too much.
Mater dicit ludum esse bonum, sed clamorem puerorum nimium esse, quia pueri diu non tacent.
Mother says the game is good, but that the noise of the boys is too much, because the boys do not keep quiet for a long time.
Magistra dicit: "Hic liber facilis est, ille liber difficilis; tamen vos potestis multum discere."
The (female) teacher says: "This book is easy, that book is difficult; nevertheless you can learn a lot."
Mater filiae dicit: "Nunc sororem tuam iuvare debes."
Mother says to her daughter: "Now you must help your sister."
Puer dicit: "Ego quoque aviam iuvare debeo, quamquam iam fessa est."
The boy says: "I also ought to help grandmother, although she is already tired."
Puer dicit: "Hic hortus parvus est, ille autem hortus prope flumen magnus et pulcher est."
The boy says: "This garden is small, but that garden near the river is large and beautiful."
Soror dicit matrem eos cras ad forum venire velle.
The sister says that mother wants them to come to the forum tomorrow.
Servus dicit se opus novum hodie incipere.
The servant says that he is beginning a new task today.
Discipuli credunt magistram verum dixisse, et eam libenter audiunt.
The students believe that the teacher has spoken the truth, and they gladly listen to her.
Discipula dicit se hoc consilium accipere causa bonae disciplinae.
The female student says that she accepts this advice for the sake of good discipline.
Subito nuntius venit et dicit certum esse hostes prope urbem manere.
Suddenly a messenger comes and says that it is certain that enemies are staying near the city.
Non sum certus discipulos paratos esse, sed magistra dicit eos paratos esse.
I am not sure that the students are ready, but the teacher says that they are ready.
Magistra dicit discipulas paratas esse et pacem servare velle, quamquam opus grave est.
The teacher says that the female students are ready and want to preserve peace, although the task is serious.
Nuntius dicit se verum dixisse.
The messenger says that he told the truth.
Magistra dicit disciplinam in schola utilem esse.
The teacher says that discipline is useful in the school.
Ego certus sum te veritatem dixisse.
I am sure that you told the truth.
Magister dicit nuntium verum esse.
The teacher says that the message is true.
Post spectaculum mater dicit: “Ite mecum ad thermas; corpus lavare oportet.”
After the show mother says: “Go with me to the baths; it is necessary to wash the body.”
Femina testis dicit se mercatorem in taberna vidisse.
A woman witness says that she saw the merchant in the shop.
Teste audito, iudex dicit mercatorem pecuniam reddere oportere.
After the witness has been heard, the judge says that the merchant must return the money.
Discipula aperte dicit se mendacio non credere et testem audire velle.
The female student openly says that she does not believe a lie and wants to hear the witness.
Mercator autem se defendere vult et dicit se veritatem semper dicere.
The merchant, however, wants to defend himself and says that he always tells the truth.
Discipulus dicit se librum veterem in bibliotheca relinquere velle.
The student says that he wants to leave an old book in the library.
Civis dicit: “Nummos non multos habeo; potesne mihi pretium minuere?”
A citizen says: “I do not have many coins; can you lower the price for me?”
Puer dicit se sororem laedere non velle, sed tantum ludere.
The boy says that he does not want to harm his sister, but only to play.
Medica dicit hoc medicamentum morbum levare posse.
The (female) doctor says that this medicine can relieve the illness.
Medicus dicit puerum mox sanari posse.
The doctor says that the boy can soon be healed.
Puer dicit se sitim sentire et lac bibere velle.
The boy says that he feels thirst and wants to drink milk.
Hospes rogat cur amphora tam cito vacua facta sit, et caupo dicit vinum hodie deesse.
The guest asks why the jar became empty so quickly, and the innkeeper says that wine is lacking today.
Puer quoque se audacem esse dicit, sed mater ridet.
The boy also says that he is bold, but mother laughs.
Mater dicit ventum mox desiturum esse, et nos in horto exspectamus.
Mother says the wind will soon stop, and we wait in the garden.
Puer in carru sedet, et mater dicit se ad villam aviae ire.
The boy sits in the cart, and mother says that she is going to grandmother’s villa.
Puer dicit ventum desiturum esse, sed mater id non credit.
The boy says that the wind is going to stop, but mother does not believe it.
Iudex mercatori dicit: “Noli mendacium dicere; veritatem dic.”
The judge says to the merchant: “Do not tell a lie; tell the truth.”
Maritus dicit se annulum uxori tradere velle.
The husband says that he wants to hand the ring to his wife.
Magister dicit discipulos non semper intellegere, sed conari debere.
The teacher says that the students do not always understand, but ought to try.
Magistra dicit bonos discipulos magistris parere oportere.
The teacher says that good students ought to obey their teachers.
Uxor dicit aliquem ante portam stare; maritus autem dicit neminem intrare posse.
The wife says that someone is standing before the gate; the husband, however, says that no one can enter.
Serva sportam in officina ponit et dicit se postea donum capere velle.
The female servant puts a basket in the workshop and says that she wants to take the gift later.
Puer dicit se famem sentire et matrem rogare ut sibi panem det.
The boy says that he feels hunger and asks his mother to give him bread.
Avus dicit ver sibi semper gaudium dare, quia sol clarior est.
Grandfather says that spring always gives him joy, because the sun is brighter.
Avus puero dicit: “Si chartam et stilum habes, epistulam hodie scribe et cras ad me redi.”
Grandfather says to the boy: “If you have paper and a stylus, write a letter today and return to me tomorrow.”
Mater dicit pluviam mox desituram esse, et pueri foris ludere poterunt.
Mother says that the rain will soon stop, and the boys will be able to play outside.
Puella dicit se culpam habere, et magistra ei poenam parvam dat.
The girl says that she is at fault, and the teacher gives her a small punishment.
Parentes dicunt bonos mores in domo et in schola servandos esse.
The parents say that good manners must be kept at home and at school.
Magistra dicit responsum eius verum esse.
The teacher says that his answer is true.
Parentes dicunt disciplinam in schola et in domo utilem esse.
The parents say that discipline is useful in school and at home.
Mater dicit vultum filiae laetum esse, sed nasum eius frigidum esse.
Mother says that her daughter’s face is happy, but that her nose is cold.
Medica dicit digitum bene sanari posse.
The doctor says that the finger can be healed well.
Avia ridet et dicit se paucos dentes habere, sed adhuc panem edere posse.
Grandmother laughs and says that she has few teeth, but can still eat bread.
Medicus dicit medicamentum amarum esse, sed utile esse.
The doctor says that the medicine is bitter, but useful.
Avus in speculo vultum suum spectat et dicit se hodie laetiorem esse.
Grandfather looks at his face in the mirror and says that he is happier today.
Mater dicit: “Per vicum rectum ambula, et ad forum cito pervenies.”
Mother says: “Walk through the straight street, and you will reach the forum quickly.”
Avus dicit puerum cautum esse debere, cum per scalas descendat.
Grandfather says that the boy ought to be careful when he goes down the stairs.
Discipula negat se stilum in mensa reliquisse et dicit fratrem eum cepisse.
The female student denies that she left the stylus on the table and says that her brother took it.
Uxor dicit se per vicum sinistrum non ituram esse, sed per vicum dextrum.
The wife says that she will not go by the left street, but by the right street.
Magister dicit discipulos pacem in schola servare debere.
The teacher says that the students ought to preserve peace in the school.
Puer dicit matrem mox domum venturam esse.
The boy says that mother will soon come home.
Mater dicit se panem et olivas empturam esse.
Mother says that she is going to buy bread and olives.
Mater dicit se ad forum ituram esse.
Mother says that she is going to go to the forum.
Puella aliquid dulce emere cupit, sed ipsa dicit se reliquos nummos servare debere.
The girl wants to buy something sweet, but she herself says that she ought to save the remaining coins.
Magister dicit titulum bonum esse, sed in secunda linea mendum parvum latere.
The teacher says that the title is good, but that a small mistake is hidden in the second line.
Magistra dicit discipulam diligentem esse, quia mendum cito corrigit.
The teacher says that the female student is diligent, because she corrects the mistake quickly.
Magister dicit codicem veterrimum pulcherrimum quoque esse, quia cera et sigillum eius adhuc servantur.
The teacher says that the oldest book is also the most beautiful, because its wax and seal are still preserved.
Discipuli dicunt nihil facilius esse quam menda corrigere, si exemplum optimum ante oculos habent.
The students say that nothing is easier than correcting mistakes, if they have the best example before their eyes.
Postea mater domi codicem aperit, titulum legit, et dicit se nihil clarius vidisse.
Afterward mother opens the book at home, reads the title, and says that she has seen nothing clearer.
Puer dicit aliquid in cista latere.
The boy says that something is hidden in the chest.
Pater dicit pacem servare melius esse quam bellum timere.
Father says that preserving peace is better than fearing war.
Puer dicit aquam nimis frigidam esse.
The boy says that the water is too cold.
Medica dicit vulnus non grave esse et sanguinem mox desiturum esse.
The doctor says that the wound is not serious and that the bleeding will soon stop.
Magister discipulis dicit: “Extra scholam currere vobis nunc non licet.”
The teacher says to the students: “You are not allowed to run outside the school now.”
Ianitor dicit nemini intra portam manere necesse esse, si domum redire vult.
The doorkeeper says that no one needs to stay inside the gate if he wants to return home.
Avia dicit amicitiam bonam vitam laetiorem facere.
Grandmother says that good friendship makes life happier.
In fine diei pater dicit finem tandem venire.
At the end of the day father says that the end is finally coming.
Puella litteras matris iterum legit et dicit se unam litteram nondum intellegere.
The girl reads her mother’s letter again and says that she does not yet understand one letter.
Quamquam medicus dicit dolorem brevem esse, puer adhuc quiete sedere non potest.
Although the doctor says that the pain is brief, the boy still cannot sit quietly.
Mater dicit initium itineris facile esse, sed partem viae prope finem saepe gravem fieri.
Mother says that the beginning of the journey is easy, but that the part of the road near the end often becomes difficult.
Medica dicit dolorem mox minui posse, si puer quiete sedet et non flet.
The doctor says that the pain can soon lessen if the boy sits quietly and does not cry.
Avus saepe dicit animos hominum non semper eosdem manere, sed vitam sine spe tristem esse.
Grandfather often says that people’s spirits do not always remain the same, but that life without hope is sad.
Miles currens dicit reginam cras ad urbem venturam esse.
A soldier, running, says that the queen will come to the city tomorrow.
Poeta dicit carmen novum de rege et regina mox scripturum esse.
The poet says that he will soon write a new poem about the king and queen.
Avus dicit cor bonum veritatem amare.
Grandfather says that a good heart loves the truth.
Iudex dicit mercatorem pretium minuere oportere.
The judge says that the merchant ought to lower the price.
Magister dicit se exemplum bonum in tabula scripturum esse.
The teacher says that he will write a good example on the board.
Magister dicit ordinem in schola servandum esse.
The teacher says that order must be preserved in the school.
Medica dicit dolorem in pectore non gravem esse.
The doctor says that the pain in the chest is not serious.
Magister dicit discipulos in bibliotheca tacere oportere.
The teacher says that the students ought to be silent in the library.
Avia dicit amicitiam bonam servandam esse.
Grandmother says that good friendship must be preserved.
Frater dicit se multos convivas invitaturum esse, si domus satis magna erit.
The brother says that he will invite many guests if the house is large enough.
Regina dicit se sacerdotem et vicinas quoque invitare, quia omnes laetas videre vult.
The queen says that she is inviting the priestess and the female neighbors too, because she wants to see everyone happy.
Pater dicit diem natalem filiae omnibus annis gratiorem fieri.
Father says that his daughter’s birthday becomes more delightful every year.
Puer vile poculum capit, sed soror dicit se pulchrius recipere velle.
The boy takes the cheap cup, but his sister says that she wants to receive a more beautiful one.
Tum sacerdos pauca verba dicet, et dies festus laetus finem habebit.
Then the priestess will say a few words, and the joyful festival day will come to an end.
Mater in foro nihil emit, quia panem nimium constare dicit.
Mother buys nothing in the forum, because she says that bread costs too much.
Pater dicit se diem festum cum familia celebraturum esse.
Father says that he is going to celebrate the festival day with the family.
Avia dicit radices aquam petere, sed ramos solem quaerere.
Grandmother says that roots seek water, but branches seek the sun.
In vinea uvae adhuc virides sunt, sed mater dicit eas mox maturas futuras esse.
In the vineyard the grapes are still green, but mother says that they will soon be ripe.
Pater dicit fenestram fractam statim reficiendam esse, ne stillae pluviae intus cadant.
Father says that the broken window must be repaired at once, so that drops of rain may not fall inside.
Sol tandem lucet, et mater dicit lutum cito siccari.
The sun finally shines, and mother says that the mud is drying quickly.
Post meridiem puellae ad colligendas uvas iterum venire volunt, sed mater dicit uvas nondum maturas esse.
In the afternoon the girls want to come again to gather grapes, but mother says that the grapes are not yet ripe.
Mater dicit scopam novam emendam esse, quia vetus scopa nimis brevis est.
Mother says that a new broom must be bought, because the old broom is too short.
Medicus dicit puerum mox sanum futurum esse.
The doctor says that the boy will soon be healthy.
Pater dicit tectum firmum esse.
Father says that the roof is strong.
Mater dicit panem emendum esse, quia nihil in domo est.
Mother says that bread must be bought, because there is nothing in the house.
Medica dicit puerum male dormire.
The doctor says that the boy sleeps badly.
Ianitor dicit se portam urbis mox clausurum esse, quia nox obscura est.
The doorkeeper says that he will soon close the city gate, because the night is dark.

Test yourself: What does dicere mean?

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
What's the best way to learn Latin grammar?
Latin grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Latin

Master Latin — from dicere to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • AI tutor to answer your grammar questions