Meaning and Usage
The French verb dire means to say or to tell. It is used to report speech, express thoughts verbally, or convey messages. Because it is an irregular verb, its conjugation does not follow regular patterns, making it important to memorize.
Conjugation Overview
Dire is an irregular verb of the third group and is often used in everyday speech. Below is a table of its present tense conjugation, which is one of the most commonly used tenses to indicate current or habitual action.
| French Pronoun | French Conjugation | English Conjugation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | dis | I say | Je dis la vérité. | I say the truth. |
| tu | dis | you say | Tu dis toujours la même chose. | You always say the same thing. |
| il/elle/on | dit | he/she/one says | Elle dit bonjour. | She says hello. |
| nous | disons | we say | Nous disons la vérité. | We say the truth. |
| vous | dites | you say (formal/plural) | Vous dites beaucoup de choses. | You say many things. |
| ils/elles | disent | they say | Ils disent la même chose. | They say the same thing. |
Past Tense Example
The past participle of dire is dit, which is used in compound past tenses such as passé composé. Example: J'ai dit la vérité (I said the truth).
Common Expressions with Dire
- Dire la vérité – to tell the truth
- Dire bonjour – to say hello
- Dire au revoir – to say goodbye
- Dire quelque chose – to say something
These expressions illustrate how versatile and common the verb dire is in everyday French communication.
Related Verbs and Links
For more information on similar verbs or irregular verbs in French, see the parent pages Irregular Verbs and Grammar.
