Translation guide
The English phrase 'hear about' is used to express learning of news, information, or events through indirect means, typically by word of mouth or media. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and constructions depending on the nuance: whether you simply heard some news, heard details or a story, or heard a rumor. The most common and versatile equivalent is 〜について聞く, but other expressions like 〜のことを聞く, 〜の話を聞く, or the single verb 聞く are also used. This guide breaks down the main uses and provides natural Japanese options.
To express that you heard some news or information about a person, event, or topic, often without specifying the source.
A standard and neutral way to say 'hear about (a topic)'. について means 'about' or 'concerning'. Use this when you want to sound clear and direct.
その事故について聞きましたか。
Did you hear about the accident?
I heard about the new project.
A very common and natural way to say 'hear about (someone/something)'. のこと softens the reference and is often used for people or personal matters.
彼のことを聞きましたか。
Did you hear about him?
その店のことを聞いたことがありますか。
Have you ever heard about that store?
The basic verb 'to hear/listen'. When used with a direct object marked by を, it can mean 'hear about' in a general sense, but it's often ambiguous without context. More natural with について or のこと.
Using を directly with a person (彼を聞く) is unnatural; use 彼のことを聞く instead.
そのニュースを聞いた？
Did you hear that news? (implying 'hear about')
To express that you heard a detailed account, story, or explanation about something.
Literally 'hear the story of ~'. This emphasizes that you heard a narrative or detailed information. Very natural for personal experiences or events.
旅行の話を聞かせてください。
Please tell me about your trip. (lit. Let me hear the story of your trip.)
彼から事故の詳しい話を聞いた。
I heard the details of the accident from him.
Use this when you want to emphasize hearing detailed information about a topic.
その計画について詳しく聞きたい。
I want to hear about the plan in detail.
To express that you heard something through the grapevine, often unverified or informal.
Literally 'hear a rumor'. This is the most direct way to say you heard gossip or an unconfirmed report.
彼が辞めるという噂を聞いた。
I heard a rumor that he's quitting.
Used to report something you heard, often implying it's hearsay. The phrase という marks the content of what was heard.
彼女が結婚するという話を聞いた。
I heard that she's getting married.
A casual, colloquial way to say 'I heard that ~'. It's a contraction of のだって and is used in informal conversation.
明日、休みなんだって。
I heard tomorrow is a day off.
To express that you are aware of something's existence or have heard of it before, often in the form 'Have you heard about...?'
The standard way to say 'I have heard of ~' or 'I have heard about ~ before'. The 〜たことがある construction expresses past experience.
その映画のことを聞いたことがありますか。
Have you ever heard of that movie?
彼のことは聞いたことがある。
I've heard of him.
Similar to the above but slightly more formal or topic-focused.
その問題について聞いたことがありますか。
Have you heard about that issue?
Both mean 'about', but 〜のこと is more personal and often used for people or concrete things, while 〜について is more formal and topic-oriented. For 'hear about a person', 〜のことを聞く is more natural than 〜について聞く.
Saying 彼を聞く to mean 'hear about him' is incorrect. Always use 彼のことを聞く or 彼について聞く. The verb 聞く takes a direct object for sounds or stories, not people.
昇進のことを聞きました。おめでとうございます！
I heard about your promotion. Congratulations!
新しいレストランのことを聞いた？
Have you heard about the new restaurant?
ニュースで事故について聞きました。
I heard about the accident on the news.