How to Say "I Heard" in Japanese

聞きました

kikimashita

The English phrase "I heard" is translated into Japanese as 聞きました (kikimashita).

聞きました is a phrase used to indicate that you have received information from someone else.

How does it change in a sentence?

To say "I heard that [clause]", you place the clause followed by the particle と before 聞きました.

kikimashita

The verb in 聞きました comes from the root 聞く, which can also mean 'to ask' in certain contexts. This can lead to confusion if you do not pay attention to the surrounding particles and sentence structure.
In very formal Japanese, instead of the standard 聞きました, one might use 伺いました (ukagaimashita). This is a humble form used to show respect to the person who provided the information or the person you are speaking to.
If you are describing hearing a sound that is quite loud or sudden, Japanese speakers might use 聞こえました (kikoemashita) instead. This describes the physical ability to perceive a sound, whereas 聞きました focuses on the act of receiving the information.

ラジオで聞きました。
I heard it on the radio.
This sentence is useful for saying you heard something on the radio using 聞きました.
Tatoeba #158618 by KK_kaku_, translation #255910 by CK
彼女がここに来たと聞きました。
I heard that she came here.
This sentence is useful for saying you heard a specific piece of information using 聞きました.
Tatoeba #1171699 by bunbuku, translation #308010 by Liface
オオカミの遠吠えを聞きました。
I heard the howl of a wolf.
This sentence is useful for describing hearing a specific sound using 聞きました.
Tatoeba #11263498 by small_snow, translation #9414659 by AlanF_US
田中さんが留学するそうですね。お聞きしました。
I heard that Tanaka-san is going to study abroad.
山田さんは来週、休みだとお聞きしましたが、それは本当ですか。
I heard that Yamada-san will have a day off next week, but is it true?
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are talking about a new cafe.

大翔 Hiroto

新しいカフェができたと聞きました。
Atarashii kafe ga dekita to kikimashita.
I heard that a new cafe opened.
美咲 Misaki

はい、とても人気があるみたいですよ。
Hai, totemo ninki ga aru mitai desu yo.
Yes, it seems to be very popular.
大翔 Hiroto

コーヒーが美味しいと聞きました。
Koohii ga oishii to kikimashita.
I heard the coffee is delicious.
美咲 Misaki

一緒にいってみませんか。
Issho ni itte mimasen ka.
Would you like to go there together?

Sources

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