verb HSK 3
Traditional 聽說
to hear (of) · to be told · I heard that · it is said that
Meaning
听说 means to hear something through word of mouth or second-hand information. It indicates that the speaker learned information from someone else rather than experiencing it directly. The word combines 听 (to listen/hear) and 说 (to say/speak), literally meaning 'hear say.'
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 听说 at the beginning of sentences to introduce hearsay or rumors. It's neutral in register and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. Often followed by clauses introduced by subjects or simply the information heard. It distances the speaker from the certainty of the information.
Examples
- 01我听说你下个月要去北京工作。.I heard that you're going to Beijing to work next month.
- 02听说这家餐厅的菜很好吃。.I heard the food at this restaurant is delicious.
Characters
Common collocations
- 听说过have heard of (before)
- 我听说I heard that
- 听人说heard from people
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines the actions of hearing and speaking, creating a word that describes information passed through speech and received by hearing.