Translation guide
In English, "I hear that..." is used to report something you've learned from others, often without specifying the source. In Japanese, this is typically expressed using hearsay markers like 〜そうだ or 〜らしい, or through phrases like 〜と聞いた. The choice depends on the source of information and level of certainty.
雨が降るそうだ。
I hear that it's going to rain.
彼女が結婚するらしい。
I hear that she's getting married.
To convey that you heard something from someone else, without emphasizing the source.
Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns to indicate hearsay. This is the most common and neutral way to say 'I hear that...'.
明日は雨が降るそうだ。
I hear that it will rain tomorrow.
I hear that he's going to Japan next year.
Also attaches to plain forms. It implies the information is based on some evidence or rumor, and often carries a nuance of 'it seems that' or 'apparently'.
あの店はとても人気があるらしい。
I hear that shop is very popular.
Literally 'I heard that...'. More direct and personal than 〜そうだ. Use when you want to emphasize that you personally heard it.
彼女が結婚すると聞いた。
I heard that she's getting married.
Casual contraction of 〜のだそうだ or 〜のだと聞いた. Common in informal speech.
明日テストがあるんだって。
I hear there's a test tomorrow.
To explicitly mention who you heard the information from.
Use 〜によると (according to...) followed by the hearsay pattern. This clearly attributes the information.
天気予報によると、明日は雪が降るそうだ。
According to the weather forecast, I hear it will snow tomorrow.
Literally '〜 was saying'. Use when you heard it directly from a specific person.
先生が明日は休みだと言っていた。
The teacher said (I heard) that tomorrow is a holiday.
To convey that you heard something but are not sure if it's true.
Used at the end of a sentence to indicate that you heard something but it's just a rumor or you're not certain. Often combined with 聞いた.
彼は引っ越すとか。
I hear he's moving (or something like that).
Expresses conjecture based on what you've heard or observed. More subjective than らしい.
あの二人、付き合ってるみたいだよ。
I hear those two are dating (it seems like it).
そうだ is a direct report of hearsay. らしい implies you've inferred from evidence or it's a common rumor. みたいだ is more subjective and based on your own impression or observation. In casual speech, みたいだ is often used where らしい would be more formal.
The English phrase 'I hear that...' is not about the act of listening. Do not translate it as 聞きたい or 聞いている. Use the hearsay patterns above.