A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How do you say" in French
Ask how to say something in French. Essential for learning new vocabulary and phrases.
Comment dit-on
koh-MAHN dee-TOHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
You've heard a word or phrase in French and want to know its meaning or how to express an idea. Use it when you're trying to learn new French words or confirm your understanding.
Alternatives
- Comment on ditSlightly more casual, common in spoken French.
- Comment je disUse when asking how *you* should say something.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'dit'
The 't' at the end of 'dit' is silent, so it sounds like 'dee'.
Forgetting the liaison
In spoken French, 'dit-on' often links with a 't' sound: 'dee-TON'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask how to say something in French?
Use 'Comment dit-on' followed by the word or phrase you want to ask about. For example, 'Comment dit-on 'thank you'?'
What's the difference between 'Comment dit-on' and 'Comment on dit'?
'Comment dit-on' is more standard and slightly more formal. 'Comment on dit' is very common in everyday spoken French and a bit more casual.
Can I use 'Comment dit-on' with friends?
Yes, you can, but with close friends you might naturally switch to the more casual 'Comment on dit' or even just ask directly in English if they speak it.
How do you ask how do you say something in French?
You can ask "Comment dit-on...?" followed by the word or phrase you want to translate. For a more direct translation of 'how do you say', you can use "Comment dire...?".
How do you say 'how do you say' in French informal?
Informally, you can say "Comment on dit...?" which is a very common and casual way to ask for a translation. Another informal option is "Ça se dit comment ?".
How to say how do you say in French to a guy?
The way you ask "how do you say" in French doesn't change based on the gender of the person you're speaking to. You can use "Comment dit-on...?" or "Comment dire...?" regardless.
How to say how do you say in French in English?
The French phrase for "how do you say" is "Comment dit-on...?" or "Comment dire...?".
