comment se dit
The French phrase for "how to say" is comment se dit.
This phrase is used to ask for the translation of a word or expression in another language.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, comment se dit means "how is it said". It uses the reflexive pronoun se to convey the passive sense of the word being spoken.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter Comment dit-on, which is the most common way to express "how do you say" in French.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Comment peut-on dire is a slightly more formal option that translates to "how can one say."
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase, you typically follow it directly with the word or expression you want to translate. You do not need to include a preposition like "to" or "of" between the phrase and your target word.
Did you know?
- The word dit comes from the Latin dictus, which is the same root used for English words like 'dictionary' and 'dictation'.
- While comment se dit is used for translation, French speakers use the term mot-valise to describe a 'portmanteau' word created by blending two different words together.
- Depending on the region, speakers in Quebec may use comment on dit more frequently in casual speech than the inverted Comment dit-on used in France.
Examples in context
- Comment dit-on 'hello' en français?How do you say 'hello' in French?
- Comment peut-on dire 'thank you' poliment?How can one say 'thank you' politely?
- Comment on dit 'goodbye' en français?How does one say 'goodbye' in French?
- Comment peut-on dire 'please' poliment?How can one say 'please' politely?
- Comment on dit 'nice to meet you' en français?How does one say 'nice to meet you' in French?
- Comment se dit « way » en français ?How do you say "way" in French?
- Comment se dit ce mot en anglais ?How do you say this word in English?
- Comment se dit « merci » en espagnol ?How do you say "thank you" in Spanish?
Example conversation
Emma is studying for her French exam and asks Nathan for help.
- EmmaNathan, comment se dit « book » en français ?Nathan, how do you say "book" in French?
- NathanOn dit « livre ».We say "livre".
- EmmaMerci ! Et comment se dit « pen » ?Thanks! And how do you say "pen"?
- NathanC'est « stylo ».It is "stylo".
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, dit, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
