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Spanish Phrase

¡Gracias! Se lo digo al chef.

/ˈɡɾa.sjas se lo ˈdi.ɣo al ˈtʃef/
Meaning"Thank you! I’ll tell the chef."
💡

Meaning

Literally, “Thank you! I’ll tell it to the chef.” The speaker thanks someone (often a waiter) and promises to pass a message or request on to the kitchen’s head cook.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase in a restaurant or catering setting after receiving a compliment, a special request, or any information you need to forward to the chef. It shows politeness and that you’ll take care of the communication.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¡Gracias!Selodigoalchef.

1

¡Gracias!

An interjection meaning 'Thank you!'. Used to express gratitude.

2

Se (indirect object pronoun)

‘Se’ replaces ‘le/les’ when a direct‑object pronoun (lo, la, los, las) follows; it means ‘to him/her/you (formal)’.

3

Lo (direct object pronoun)

‘Lo’ stands for ‘it’ (masculine) or ‘him’; here it refers to the information you will pass on.

4

Digo (verb)

First‑person singular present of ‘decir’ – ‘I say/tell’.

5

Al = a + el

Contraction of the preposition ‘a’ (to) and the masculine definite article ‘el’; ‘to the’.

6

Chef (loanword)

Borrowed from French; used in most Spanish‑speaking countries to refer to the head cook.

🗨In Conversation

A

¡Gracias! Se lo digo al chef.

Thank you! I’ll tell the chef.

De nada, buen provecho.

You’re welcome, enjoy your meal.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Le lo digo al chef.

    When a direct‑object pronoun follows an indirect‑object pronoun, ‘le/les’ changes to ‘se’. ‘Le lo’ is incorrect.

  • Se lo digo al cocinero.

    In some Latin American countries ‘al chef’ sounds too formal; ‘al cocinero’ is more common.

↔Alternatives

  • ¡Muchas gracias! Se lo comunicaré al chef.

    Thank you very much! I’ll communicate it to the chef.

  • ¡Gracias! Le paso el mensaje al chef.

    Thanks! I’ll pass the message to the chef.

  • ¡Gracias! Le diré al chef.

    Thanks! I’ll tell the chef.

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries, it’s common to thank the waiting staff directly and then assure them you’ll inform the chef. Using ‘se lo’ avoids the ungrammatical ‘le lo’, a frequent error for learners. The word ‘chef’ is widely understood, but in some regions you might hear ‘cocinero’ or ‘jefe de cocina’ for a more formal tone.