Reported Speech / Indirect Speech in Spanish
Are you learning Spanish and wondering how to turn direct speech into reported speech naturally and correctly? In this guide, you’ll learn how to use reported speech in Spanish, when to change the verb tenses, how to deal with time and place expressions, and more. Ideal for intermediate and advanced Spanish learners.
What is reported speech in Spanish?
Reported speech (also known as indirect speech) is used when we want to repeat what someone else said, but without quoting their exact words. It’s very common in everyday conversation, in the media, and in formal writing.
👉 For example:
- Direct speech:
- María: “Tengo sueño.”
- Reported speech:
- María dice que tiene sueño. María says that she is sleepy.
Common verbs used in reported speech
To introduce reported speech, we use reporting verbs such as:
- decir (to say)
- afirmar (to state)
- contar (to tell)
- explicar (to explain)
- advertir (to warn)
- preguntar (to ask)
- comentar (to comment)
- asegurar (to assure)
Using the conjunction “que” (that)
When reporting statements in Spanish, we use the conjunction “que” (that):
- Direct speech:
- Pedro: “Estoy aprendiendo español.”
- Reported speech:
- Pedro dice que está aprendiendo español. Pedro says that he is learning Spanish.
How to report questions in Spanish
Yes/No questions
Use the conjunction “si” (if/whether):
- Direct speech:
- Lucía: “¿Tienes frío?”
- Reported speech:
- Lucía pregunta si tengo frío. Lucía asks if I’m cold.
Wh- questions (with question words)
These use the same interrogative word (dónde, cuándo, por qué…), but the structure becomes a statement without question marks:
- Direct speech:
- Luis: “¿Dónde vives?”
- Reported speech:
- Luis pregunta dónde vivo. Luis asks where I live.
✍️ Important: In Spanish, question words keep their accent even in reported speech (cómo, cuándo, dónde, etc.).
How to report commands or advice in Spanish
When reporting an order or instruction, we use the conjunction “que” and change the verb to the subjunctive:
- Direct speech:
- Raúl: “¡Llama a tu madre!”
- Reported speech:
- Raúl dice que llame a mi madre. Raúl says that I should call my mother.
If the command happened in the past and is no longer valid, we use the imperfect subjunctive:
- Raúl dijo que llamara a mi madre. Raúl said that I should call my mother.
Verb tense changes in Spanish reported speech
When the reporting verb is in the past tense (dijo, explicó, preguntó…), the verb tenses in the original sentence often shift back.
| Estilo directo | Estilo indirecto |
|---|---|
| Presente: “Estoy cansado.” | Dijo que estaba cansado. |
| Futuro: “Iré mañana.” | Dijo que iría / que iba a ir. |
| Pretérito indefinido: “Fui a Roma.” | Dijo que había ido a Roma. |
| Condicional: “Me gustaría viajar.” | Dijo que le habría gustado viajar. |
| Imperativo: “Ven aquí.” | Dijo que debía venir / que viniera. |
| Pretérito imperfecto: “Tenía sueño.” | Dijo que tenía sueño. (No cambia) |
🔁 If the information is still valid or relevant, verb tenses don’t need to change:
- Clara: “Trabajo en un hospital.”
- ✅ Clara dijo que trabaja en un hospital ➡️ Clara said that she works at a hospital.
🗣 Changes from Direct to Reported Speech in Spanish
When turning direct speech into reported speech in Spanish, we don’t just change the verb tenses. Other elements also need to change — especially if the reference is no longer valid. Here’s what typically changes, with clear examples in Spanish.
🔄 Changes in personal pronouns
Pronouns must match the new speaker’s perspective.
Example:
🗣 Direct:
Juan: “Yo estoy listo.”
📝 Reported:
Juan dijo que él estaba listo.
🏠 Changes in possessive adjectives
Possessive words must reflect the new subject and point of view.
Example:
🗣 Direct:
Lucía: “Esta es mi casa.”
📝 Reported:
Lucía dijo que esa era su casa.
👆 Changes in demonstratives
Words like “este / esta” or “estos / estas” become “ese / esa” or “esos / esas” when the speaker is no longer pointing directly at something.
- este / esta → ese / esa
- estos / estas → esos / esas
Example:
🗣 Direct:
Pedro:
“Este coche es nuevo.”
📝 Reported:
Pedro dijo que ese coche era nuevo.
📍 Changes in place expressions
Words related to location change depending on where the conversation is being reported from.
- aquí / acá → ahí / allí / allá
Example:
🗣 Direct:
Marta: “Estoy aquí.”
📝 Reported:
Marta dijo que estaba allí.
⏰ Changes in time expressions
Here’s a quick table of the most common time expression changes.
| Direct speech | Reported speech |
|---|---|
| hoy | ese día / aquel día |
| mañana | al día siguiente |
| ayer | el día anterior |
| ahora | en ese momento |
| esta semana | esa semana |
| el próximo mes | el mes siguiente |
Example:
🗣 Direct:
Diego:
“Mañana tengo una reunión.”
📝 Reported:
Diego dijo que al día siguiente tenía una reunión.
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