Log inSign up

El contrato estipula una multa, es decir, tienes que pagar.

El contrato estipula una multa, es decir, tienes que pagar.
The contract stipulates a penalty, that is, you have to pay.
From Lesson 475:Clarifying statements (es decir, o sea)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about El contrato estipula una multa, es decir, tienes que pagar.

Could I use o sea or esto es instead of es decir in this sentence?
Yes, but the tone changes slightly. es decir is standard and versatile, fitting both spoken and written Spanish. o sea is much more informal and conversational. esto es is quite formal or academic. Since this sentence is about a contract, es decir strikes a good balance, but o sea would be completely natural if you were explaining the contract to a friend.
Do I always need commas around es decir?
Yes. When es decir (or similar explicative markers like o sea) connects two clauses in the middle of a sentence, it must be set off by commas on both sides. This reflects the brief pause you make when clarifying a point.
Doesn't multa usually mean a ticket or a fine?
Exactly. A multa is a monetary fine, like a parking ticket. In legal or contract contexts like this one, it translates broadly to a financial penalty. If the penalty weren't related to money, you would likely see a word like sanción or penalización.
Is estipula a word I should use in daily conversation?
Not usually. The verb estipular belongs to formal, legal, or administrative registers. You will see it in contracts, laws, and official rules. If you were just talking about what a simple sign or a friend's note says, you would use simpler verbs like decir or poner.

Learn El contrato estipula una multa, es decir, tienes que pagar and more in Spanish

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

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Spanish →