Dire is an essential French verb that means “to say” or “to tell.” It is used to express how things are said or reported, making it vital for both direct and indirect speech. Because it is irregular, dire follows a unique pattern in its conjugations, which differ from regular -re verbs.
- Expresses both speech and communication
- Used for what is said (dire) and reporting information (telling)
- Important in direct and indirect speech
- Irregular conjugation patterns distinct from regular -re verbs
*dire* means “to say” and “to tell.”
Meaning and Usage
Dire means “to say” or “to tell” and is used whenever you express or report someone’s words.
| Usage | Example (Fr) | Example (En) |
|---|---|---|
| To say | Que dis-tu? | What do you say? |
| To tell (info) | Il dit la vérité. | He tells the truth. |
| Reporting speech | Elle dit qu’elle vient. | She says she’s coming. |
- Core meanings: saying and telling
- Used for both original speech and reported speech
- Can be used in statements, questions, and commands
*dire* is used for expressing or reporting what someone says.
Conjugation Overview
Dire is irregular. Its stem changes (dis-, dit-, dir-) and it uses distinctive endings. Here’s a quick look at the present tense:
| Pronoun | Dire (Présent) |
|---|---|
| Je | dis |
| Tu | dis |
| Il/Elle/On | dit |
| Nous | disons |
| Vous | dites |
| Ils/Elles | disent |
- Irregular stem changes: dis-, dit-, dir-
- Unique endings especially for nous and vous
The correct forms are je dis, tu dis, il dit.
The *nous* form is 'disons.'
Present Tense Usage
In present tense, dire is used for things people say or tell others right now or as a general truth.
| Subject | Dire (Présent) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Je | dis | Je dis la vérité. (I tell the truth.) |
| Tu | dis | Tu dis trop! (You say too much!) |
| Il/Elle/On | dit | Il dit non. (He says no.) |
| Nous | disons | Nous disons la même chose. (We say the same thing.) |
| Vous | dites | Vous dites toujours ça. (You always say that.) |
| Ils/Elles | disent | Ils disent la vérité. (They tell the truth.) |
- Used in both affirmative and negative sentences
- Common for daily conversations and expressing opinions
Use *dire* to express what someone says or tells in the present.
The correct phrase is 'Nous disons que...'
They say = 'Ils disent.'
Correct: Je dis la vérité; Tu dis ce que tu penses; Nous disons toujours bonjour
Source Material
Author: Laura K. Lawless
Document: French Verb Dire - Present Tense
Date Published: 2024
Past Tense (Passé Composé)
For completed actions, use dire in the passé composé with avoir + dit:
| Subject | Passé Composé | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Je | ai dit | J’ai dit la vérité. (I said the truth.) |
| Tu | as dit | Tu as tout dit. (You said everything.) |
| Il/Elle/On | a dit | Elle a dit oui. (She said yes.) |
| Nous | avons dit | Nous avons dit non. (We said no.) |
| Vous | avez dit | Vous avez bien dit. (You said well.) |
| Ils/Elles | ont dit | Ils ont dit la même chose. (They said the same thing.) |
- Use for specific moments when something was said
- Common in telling stories or relating events
The past participle is 'dit.'
Correct are J'ai dit, Nous avons dit, Ils ont dit.
The correct is 'Vous avez dit...'
*dire* in passé composé is for when saying/telling is done.
The verb uses 'avoir' as auxiliary.
Indirect Speech
Dire is often used to introduce indirect speech, especially with verbs like dire que (to say that):
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| Elle dit: « Je pars. » | Elle dit qu’elle part. |
| Il dit: « Nous mangeons. » | Il dit qu’ils mangent. |
- Use dire que to link the original message to the main clause
- The verb following que usually changes according to the new context (e.g., subjunctive, indicative)
The correct expression is 'Elle dit que...'
Correct: Il dit qu’il viendra; Elle dit que tu as raison.
Common Expressions with Dire
Dire also appears in many idiomatic expressions:
- Dire la vérité — to tell the truth
- Dire des bêtises — to say silly things
- Dire au revoir — to say goodbye
- Dire son opinion — to give one’s opinion
Common expressions include Dire la vérité, Dire au revoir, Dire des bêtises.
'Dire des bêtises' means to say silly things.
Conclusion
Dire is essential for expressing and understanding how things are said or told in French.
- Central to both spoken and reported speech
- Requires mastering its irregular conjugations
- Appears in many useful idiomatic expressions