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.
I hear that it's going to rain.
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...'.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
According to the weather forecast, I hear it will snow tomorrow.
Literally '〜 was saying'. Use when you heard it directly from a specific person.
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.
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.
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.
The teacher said (I heard) that tomorrow is a holiday.