Phrase · 🫂 Difficult conversations
Te lo digo con cariño: esa actitud te está perjudicando.
I'm saying this with love: that attitude is hurting you.
C2criticising with careinformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Te1object pronounto youtú · 2nd sing. · indirect objectlo1object pronounitél · 3rd sing. · direct objectdigoverbI saydecir · present · 1st sing.con2prepositionwithcariño2nounlove, affectionmasc. · sing.:esadeterminerthatese · fem. · sing.actitudnounattitudefem. · sing.te3object pronounyoutú · 2nd sing. · direct objectestá3verbisestar · present · 3rd sing.perjudicando3verbharmingperjudicar · gerund.
- Te → lo: te lo: indirect + direct
- lo → actitud: lo anticipates what follows
- está → perjudicando: estar + gerund
- esa → actitud: esa agrees with actitud
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Te lo digo: lo anticipates what comes after the colon. Spanish doesn't drop it. Double object pronouns (se lo) and clitic placement →
- 2con cariño = with affection: a softener before honest criticism between friends or family.
- 3perjudicar = to harm, damage. The progressive says it is happening now; te is the direct object. Estar + gerund (present progressive) →
Variations
- Te lo digo con todo el cariño: esa actitud te está perjudicando.
- Te lo digo por tu bien: esa actitud te perjudica.
- Se lo digo con cariño: esa actitud lo está perjudicando.