How Do You Say Quotes in Spanish? A Complete Guide to Citing Speech and Writing
If you’ve ever wondered how do you say quotes in Spanish, you’re not alone. That's why whether you’re preparing a presentation, writing an essay, or simply trying to repeat what someone said in a conversation, knowing the correct terminology, punctuation, and structures is essential. Think about it: this article breaks down everything you need to know about quoting in Spanish—from the basic translation of the word “quote” to the nuances of direct and indirect speech, quotation marks, and common phrases used by native speakers. By the end, you’ll feel confident using quotes in both spoken and written Spanish Less friction, more output..
Understanding the Word “Quote” in Spanish
The English word quote can function as both a noun and a verb, and Spanish offers different equivalents depending on the role it plays.
| English | Spanish (noun) | Spanish (verb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| quote (a passage) | la cita | citar | Refers to a quoted sentence or phrase. |
| quote (to estimate price) | el presupuesto / la cotización | presupuestar / cotizar | Used in business contexts. |
| quote (as in “quote me”) | la cita | citar | Same as above; context clarifies meaning. |
When you ask how do you say quotes in Spanish you are most likely thinking of la cita (noun) or the verb citar. For example:
- She gave a famous quote from Cervantes. → Ella dio una famosa cita de Cervantes.
- Can you quote that line for me? → ¿Puedes citar esa línea para mí?
Note: In everyday speech, Spaniards and Latin Americans often use the English loanword quote (pronounced /kote/) in informal settings, especially on social media, but the formal term remains cita Most people skip this — try not to..
Direct vs. Indirect Quotes
Spanish distinguishes between citas directas (direct quotes) and citas indirectas (indirect quotes), just like English does. Knowing when to use each helps you sound natural and grammatically correct And that's really what it comes down to..
Direct Quotes (Citas Directas)
A direct quote reproduces the exact words someone said, enclosed in quotation marks. In Spanish, you can use either angular quotes « … » or regular double quotes “ … ”, depending on the region and style guide.
- Angular quotes (« … ») are traditional in Spain and many Latin American countries.
- Double quotes (“ … ”) are common in Mexico, the Caribbean, and in many digital platforms.
Structure:
Subject + verb of saying + quotation marks + quoted text.
Examples:
- María dijo: «Voy a llegar tarde».
- María dijo: “Voy a llegar tarde.”
- María said: “I’m going to be late.”
Note the placement of punctuation: periods and commas go inside the quotation marks in Spanish, just as in English.
Indirect Quotes (Citas Indirectas)
An indirect quote paraphrases what someone said without using their exact words. No quotation marks are needed, and the verb tense often shifts (similar to English reported speech).
Structure:
Subject + verb of saying + que + clause (often in subordinate mood).
Examples:
- María dijo que iba a llegar tarde.
- María said that she was going to be late.
If the original statement is in the present tense, the indirect version usually moves to the imperfect or conditional, depending on context:
- Direct: «Tengo hambre» → Indirect: Dijo que tenía hambre.
- Direct: «Llamaré mañana» → Indirect: Dijo que llamaría mañana.
Punctuation and Quotation Marks in Spanish
Proper punctuation makes your quotes clear and professional. Below are the most common rules you’ll encounter.
1. Opening and Closing Marks
- Angular quotes: « texto »
- Spanish double quotes: “ texto ”
- English-style double quotes: " texto " (less formal but accepted)
2. Dialogue Tags
When a dialogue tag (e.On top of that, g. , dijo María, explicó el profesor) interrupts the quoted sentence, place a comma before and after the tag, and keep the quotation marks around each fragment.
- «No sé —dijo Juan—, qué hacer».
- “No sé,” dijo Juan, “qué hacer.”
3. Question and Exclamation Marks
If the quoted sentence itself is a question or exclamation, the opening and closing marks go inside the quotation marks.
- «¿Vienes conmigo?» preguntó Ana.
- “¡Qué sorpresa!” exclamó Luis.
If the question or exclamation applies to the whole sentence (not just the quote), place the marks outside.
- ¿Quién dijo «nunca te rendirás»?
- Who said “never give up”?
4. Ellipses and Omissions
To indicate omitted text within a quote, use three dots (…) inside the quotation marks.
- «El rápido zorro marrón … saltó sobre el perro perezoso.»
Common Phrases for Quoting Someone
Beyond the verb citar, native speakers use a variety of expressions to introduce quotes. Knowing these will make your speech sound more natural.
| Spanish Phrase | Literal Translation | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Según + noun/pronoun | According to | Según el informe, las ventas aumentaron. |
| Como dijo + name | As … said | Como dijo Picasso, “Todo niño es un artista.” |
| En palabras de + name | In the words of | En palabras de Mandela, “La educación es el arma más poderosa.” |
| Él/Ella afirmó que | He/She affirmed that | *Él afirmó que nunca había visto tal cosa. |
When you want to underline that you are repeating someone’s exact words, you can add textualmente or literalmente Most people skip this — try not to..
- Textualmente, él dijo: «No voy a cambiar de opinión».
- Literalmente, la regla establece: «No se permite fumar».
Examples in Different Contexts
Seeing quotes in action helps solidify the rules. Below are several realistic scenarios.
