dit
/di/
The English word 'said' is translated into French as dit.
When used as an adjective, dit means 'mentioned earlier'. It is related to the determiner forms dit and ledit, which also mean 'mentioned earlier'. Note that Saïd is also a male given name in French.
Meaning: mentioned earlier (adj)
Which one should you use?
While dit functions as an adjective meaning 'said', the form ledit is a demonstrative determiner specifically used to mean 'the aforementioned' or 'the said' in formal or legal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, 'avouer' is sometimes used instead of 'dire' in certain contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, dit agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: it becomes dite in the feminine form, dits in the masculine plural form and dites in the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/di/
Did you know?
- In French, the word dit is used in nicknames to mean 'called' or 'known as', such as in the name of the famous highwayman Carteret dit le Pirate.
- While dit means 'said', the related phrase c'est dit is often used as a final authoritative statement to mean 'it is settled' or 'the matter is closed'.
- The French word dit comes from the Latin word dictus, which is the same root used for the English word 'dictionary'.
Examples in context
- Il a dit non.He said no.Tatoeba #3647366 by sacredceltic, translation #2863323 by Amastan
- Tom a dit ça.Tom said that.Tatoeba #6465541 by Aiji, translation #2237639 by CK
- Il a dit oui.He said yes.Tatoeba #7528060 by Micsmithel, translation #2845863 by AlanF_US
- Il a dit que c'était une bonne idée.He said it was a good idea.
- Elle a dit qu'elle avait terminé son travail.She said she had finished her work.
- Le professeur a énoncé les règles du jeu.The teacher stated the rules of the game.
- Il a dit qu'il avait la flemme de sortir ce soir.He said he didn't feel like going out tonight.
- Elle a dit que c'était "trop cool."She said it was "super cool."
- Jean m'a raconté une blague.Jean told me a joke.
- Il a affirmé que c'était la vérité.He said it was the truth.
- Il a avoué qu'il avait menti.He confessed he had lied.
- 2525 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a previously mentioned plan.
- EmmaOn part à midi, comme dit précédemment.We are leaving at noon, as previously said.
- HugoC'est vrai, j'avais oublié ce détail.That's true, I had forgotten that detail.
- EmmaLe lieu de rendez-vous est donc dit.The meeting place is therefore settled.
- HugoParfait, je serai là à l'heure, Emma.Perfect, I will be there on time, Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
