comment dit-on
The English phrase "how do you say" is translated into French as comment dit-on.
comment dit-on is a phrase used to ask for the translation of a word or expression in another language. It can be interpreted as meaning "how do we say".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of comment (how), dit (says) and on (one/we).
Which one should you use?
While comment dit-on is the standard way to ask for a translation, the word order comment on dit is a more colloquial version used in spoken French.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the impersonal pronoun on to mean "one" or "people in general", rather than a specific "you".
Did you know?
- In very informal French, speakers might skip the comment entirely and simply point to an object while asking on dit quoi ?, which literally means 'one says what?'
- French has a specific term, faux ami, for words that look like English words but have different meanings, which are often the subject of comment dit-on queries.
- The word comment is a cognate of the English word 'comment', but while the English word is a noun for a remark, the French word is primarily an adverb for 'how'.
Examples in context
- Comment dit-on … ?How do you say…?This sentence shows how to use comment dit-on to ask for a translation.Tatoeba #624448 by qdii, translation #602241 by Eldad
- Comment dit-on XXX en anglais ?How do you say XXX in English?This sentence shows how to ask how to say something in English using comment dit-on.Tatoeba #13072679 by Rovo, translation #3789754 by Ricardo14
- Comment dit-on XXX en néerlandais ?How do you say XXX in Dutch?This sentence shows how to ask how to say something in Dutch using comment dit-on.Tatoeba #388259 by sysko, translation #388262 by Dorenda
- Comment dit-on "hello" en français?How do you say "hello" in French?
- Pourriez-vous me dire comment on dit "thank you" en français?Could you tell me how one says "thank you" in French?
- J'aimerais connaître la traduction de "beautiful" en français.I would like to know the translation of "beautiful" in French.
- Dis-moi comment on dit "thank you" en français?Tell me how one says "thank you" in French?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is studying French with Manon at a cafe.
- NathanComment dit-on « way » en français ?How do you say "way" in French?
- ManonOn dit « chemin » ou « façon ».One says "chemin" or "façon".
- NathanMerci, c'est très clair.Thank you, that is very clear.
- ManonDe rien, Nathan !You're welcome, Nathan!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
