Translation guide
The English phrase 'I hear' is used to report something you have learned from others, often without specifying the source. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed using hearsay patterns like 〜そうだ, 〜らしい, or 〜と聞いている. The choice depends on the source of information and level of certainty.
To convey that you heard something from someone else, without specifying the source.
Attach to the plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun + だ to indicate hearsay. This is the most direct equivalent of 'I hear that...'.
明日は雨が降るそうだ。
I hear it will rain tomorrow.
彼は来ないそうだ。
I hear he isn't coming.
Also attaches to plain forms. It implies the information is based on some evidence or rumor, and is slightly more indirect than 〜そうだ.
あの店は美味しいらしい。
I hear that restaurant is good.
Literally 'I have heard that...'. More explicit about having heard the information, often from a specific source.
彼は転職すると聞いている。
I hear he's changing jobs.
Casual contraction of 〜のだそうだ or 〜のだと. Used in informal conversation.
明日テストなんだって。
I hear there's a test tomorrow.
To acknowledge that you have heard something, often as a reply to confirm you are aware.
Casual way to say 'I hear you' or 'I've heard'. Often used to show you are listening or already know.
A: あのさ、来週休みだって。B: うん、聞いてるよ。
A: Hey, I hear next week is a holiday. B: Yeah, I hear you.
Polite version of 聞いてるよ. Suitable for formal situations.
その件は聞いています。
I have heard about that matter.
To express the physical act of hearing something. This is usually not the intended meaning of the English phrase 'I hear' when used as a discourse marker.
If you literally mean 'I hear a sound', use 聞こえる (spontaneous hearing) or 聞く (active listening). This is not the hearsay usage.
Do not use hearsay patterns for literal sounds.
鳥の声が聞こえる。
I hear birds singing.
〜そうだ is a direct report of what you heard. 〜らしい implies you inferred it from circumstances or it's a rumor. 〜と聞いている explicitly states you heard it from someone. In casual speech, 〜んだって is common.
The verb 聞く means 'to listen' or 'to ask'. To express 'I hear that...' as hearsay, use the patterns above, not 私は...と聞く.