J'ai entendu dire ?!

Leo W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

J'ai entendu dire ?!


I've heard that Isabelle is also going to try her luck in Paris.

J'ai entendu dire qu'Isabelle allait aussi tenter sa chance à Paris.

Hi, what is the use of dire? Can't we just say "J'ai entendu qu'Isabelle....

Thank you :)

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Amir,

The expression -

entendre dire que = to hear (it said) that 

is used for something you have heard and you have to have 'dire' in French.

Mostly it will be used with que introducing another clause ( another sentence) but not always : 

you might say -

Oui, je l'ai entendu dire = Yes, I heard (it said)that 

J'ai entendu dire que Martin était rentré en France = I heard (it said) that Martin has returned to France 

If you said simply -

j'ai entendu qu'Isabelle ...

although it would be more correct to say - 

j'ai entendu Isabelle dire qu'elle...

it means you heard it yourself and it is not hearsay or a rumour.

I hope this helps!

 

 

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Perhaps "entendre dire" is more idiomatic, but according to Larousse "dire" is optional.

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/entendre/29878#locution

Entendre (dire) que, en prendre connaissance : J'ai entendu dire que Paul a quitté sa femme.

J'ai entendu dire ?!


I've heard that Isabelle is also going to try her luck in Paris.

J'ai entendu dire qu'Isabelle allait aussi tenter sa chance à Paris.

Hi, what is the use of dire? Can't we just say "J'ai entendu qu'Isabelle....

Thank you :)

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