Bonjour and welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “said that” in French. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of expressing this phrase, providing you with various examples and useful tips along the way. Let’s dive in!
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Formal Ways to Say “Said That” in French
In formal contexts, it is important to use respectful language. When expressing “said that” formally in French, the most common phrase used is “a dit que.” Let’s look at some examples:
Le professeur a dit que l’examen aura lieu demain. (The teacher said that the exam will take place tomorrow.)
Le directeur a dit que la réunion est reportée. (The director said that the meeting is postponed.)
Le président a dit que les négociations sont en cours. (The president said that the negotiations are underway.)
When reporting indirect speech formally, you can use the phrase “a déclaré que” (stated that) instead of just “a dit que.” Here are a few examples:
Le porte-parole a déclaré que la situation est sous contrôle. (The spokesperson stated that the situation is under control.)
L’avocat a déclaré que son client était innocent. (The lawyer stated that his client was innocent.)
Le diplomate a déclaré que les discussions sont en bonne voie. (The diplomat stated that the discussions are on track.)
Informal Ways to Say “Said That” in French
When speaking informally in French, relationships and contexts often determine the choice of expressions. Here are a few common ways to say “said that” in informal situations:
- Dis que: This informal phrase is commonly used among friends or peers.
Il m’a dit que la fête était incroyable. (He told me that the party was amazing.)
Elle a dit que le film était fantastique. (She said that the movie was fantastic.)
- Raconte que: This casual expression is often used in spoken language.
Ils racontent qu’il a réussi son examen. (They say that he passed his exam.)
On raconte que la nouvelle est fausse. (People say that the news is false.)
Tips for Using “Said That” in French
Here are some tips to help you use “said that” appropriately in French:
- Pronunciation: In French, the “d” in “dit” is usually silent, so it sounds like “dee.”
- Agreement: The verb “dire” (to say) agrees in number and gender with the subject. Make sure to modify it accordingly.
- Indirect speech word order: In French, the word order in indirect speech is slightly different. The subject and verb are inverted.
Regional Variations
French is spoken in various regions, and some regional variations exist. While the phrase “a dit que” is widely used across the French-speaking world, certain regions may have their own unique expressions. Let’s take a look at a few regional variations:
- Québec: In Quebec, Canada, the popular phrase “a mentionné que” is often used to mean “said that.”
Elle a mentionné que la soirée sera amusante. (She said that the party will be fun.)
Il a mentionné que le projet est achevé. (He said that the project is completed.)
Belgium: In Belgium, expressions like “a annoncé que” (announced that) or “a avoué que” (admitted that) are sometimes used instead of “a dit que.”
Il a annoncé que le spectacle est annulé. (He announced that the show is canceled.)
Elle a avoué que c’était son erreur. (She admitted that it was her mistake.)
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to say “said that” in French. Remember to use “a dit que” in formal contexts and “dis que” or “raconte que” in informal situations. Take note of the regional variations we discussed, especially if you are interacting with speakers from specific regions of the French-speaking world. Practice these phrases, pay attention to pronunciation and verb agreement, and you’ll soon master expressing “said that” in French with ease. Continue exploring the beauty of the French language, and enjoy your linguistic journey!
