Dire Verb Conjugation: Every Tense With Translations & Real Examples
Did you realize that dire verb conjugation can feel difficult because the verb shifts shape and meaning across tenses, even though it shows up everywhere in French? Dire is a high-frequency verb used for speaking, stating facts, giving instructions, reporting information, and introducing direct or indirect speech. This guide breaks down each tense with clear explanations and real usage.
Let’s start with what makes dire special.
What You Need To Know Before Conjugating Dire
Dire means to say or to tell, but it is also used to express opinions, instructions, explanations, and reported speech. It is an irregular verb, especially in the present tense and future forms. Dire usually takes a direct or indirect object, which strongly affects sentence structure and meaning.
Dis Donc Meaning
Dis donc is a very common French expression you’ll hear in everyday conversation, and it doesn’t translate word-for-word into English. Literally, it comes from dire (“to say”), but in real life it’s used to grab attention, show surprise, or soften what comes next.
Depending on tone and context, dis donc can mean “hey,” “by the way,” “wow,” or even “listen”. You might hear it when someone is surprised (Dis donc, tu es déjà là !), impressed, slightly annoyed, or about to change the topic. It’s informal, natural, and very expressive. Once you start noticing it, you’ll hear dis donc everywhere in spoken French.
Indicative Mood
The indicative mood is used to express facts, statements, and real situations.
Present Tense (Présent)
The present tense of dire is used to express what someone is saying now, general statements, or habitual speech. In English, it usually translates as “say,” “am saying,” or “tell.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | dis | I say / I am saying |
| Tu | dis | you say |
| Il / Elle / On | dit | he / she says |
| Nous | disons | we say |
| Vous | dites | you say |
| Ils / Elles | disent | they say |
Examples:
- Je dis la vérité. → I’m telling the truth.
- Elle dit bonjour. → She says hello.
- Nous disons toujours la même chose. → We always say the same thing.
To describe repeated or ongoing speech in the past, French uses the imperfect.
Imperfect Tense (Imparfait)
The imperfect tense is used to describe habitual speech, repeated statements, or background information in the past. In English, it often translates as “was saying” or “used to say.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | disais | I was saying / I used to say |
| Tu | disais | you were saying |
| Il / Elle / On | disait | he / she was saying |
| Nous | disions | we were saying |
| Vous | disiez | you were saying |
| Ils / Elles | disaient | they were saying |
Examples:
- Je disais toujours la même chose. → I used to say the same thing.
- Elle disait la vérité. → She was telling the truth.
- Ils disaient rien. → They weren’t saying anything.
To express a completed statement, French uses the passé composé.
Passé Composé
The passé composé of dire expresses a completed act of saying or telling. It always uses avoir as its auxiliary.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | ai dit | I said / I told |
| Tu | as dit | you said |
| Il / Elle / On | a dit | he / she said |
| Nous | avons dit | we said |
| Vous | avez dit | you said |
| Ils / Elles | ont dit | they said |
Examples:
- J’ai dit la vérité. → I told the truth.
- Elle a dit non. → She said no.
- Nous avons dit au revoir. → We said goodbye.
To show that something had already been said before another past action, French uses another tense.
Plus-Que-Parfait
The plus-que-parfait describes something that had already been said before another event in the past.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | avais dit | I had said |
| Tu | avais dit | you had said |
| Il / Elle / On | avait dit | he / she had said |
| Nous | avions dit | we had said |
| Vous | aviez dit | you had said |
| Ils / Elles | avaient dit | they had said |
Examples:
- J’avais dit la vérité. → I had told the truth.
- Elle avait déjà dit oui. → She had already said yes.
- Nous avions dit non. → We had said no.
Some tenses are mainly used in written French.
Passé Simple (Rare – Literary)
The passé simple of dire appears mostly in literature.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | dis | I said |
| Tu | dis | you said |
| Il / Elle / On | dit | he / she said |
| Nous | dîmes | we said |
| Vous | dîtes | you said |
| Ils / Elles | dirent | they said |
Examples:
- Il dit la vérité. → He said the truth.
- Elle dîtes un mot. → She spoke a word.
- Ils dirent rien. → They said nothing.
French also uses the future tense frequently with dire.
Simple Future (Futur Simple)
The future tense describes what someone will say or tell later.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | dirai | I will say |
| Tu | diras | you will say |
| Il / Elle / On | dira | he / she will say |
| Nous | dirons | we will say |
| Vous | direz | you will say |
| Ils / Elles | diront | they will say |
Examples:
- Je dirai la vérité. → I will tell the truth.
- Elle dira oui. → She will say yes.
- Nous dirons tout. → We will say everything.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive is used to express necessity, emotion, doubt, or judgment related to what is said.
Present Subjunctive
In English, this often translates as “for someone to say” or “that someone should say.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Que je | dise | for me to say / that I should say |
| Que tu | dises | for you to say |
| Qu’il / elle / on | dise | for him/her to say |
| Que nous | disions | for us to say |
| Que vous | disiez | for you to say |
| Qu’ils / elles | disent | for them to say |
Examples:
- Il faut que je dise la vérité. → I need to tell the truth.
- Je veux qu’elle dise oui. → I want her to say yes.
- Bien qu’ils disent non… → Although they say no…
Past Subjunctive
Used when something was said before the main verb.
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Que je | aie dit | for me to have said |
| Que tu | aies dit | for you to have said |
| Qu’il / elle / on | ait dit | for him/her to have said |
| Que nous | ayons dit | for us to have said |
| Que vous | ayez dit | for you to have said |
| Qu’ils / elles | aient dit | for them to have said |
Examples:
- Je regrette qu’il ait dit ça. → I regret that he said that.
- Bien qu’elle ait dit non… → Although she said no…
- Je suis content qu’ils aient dit oui. → I’m glad they said yes.
Conditional Mood
The conditional expresses hypothetical speech, politeness, or imagined statements.
Present Conditional
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | dirais | I would say |
| Tu | dirais | you would say |
| Il / Elle / On | dirait | he / she would say |
| Nous | dirions | we would say |
| Vous | diriez | you would say |
| Ils / Elles | diraient | they would say |
Examples:
- Je dirais la vérité. → I would tell the truth.
- Elle dirait oui. → She would say yes.
- Nous dirions non. → We would say no.
Imperative Mood
The imperative is used to give instructions, advice, or orders.
Present Imperative
| Form | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Tu) | dis | say |
| (Nous) | disons | let’s say |
| (Vous) | dites | say |
Examples:
- Dis la vérité. → Tell the truth.
- Disons les choses clairement. → Let’s say things clearly.
- Dites-moi tout. → Tell me everything.
Near Future (Futur Proche)
The near future is used to express what is about to be said or what someone plans to say very soon. It is formed with aller + infinitive (dire). In English, it usually translates as “going to say” or “about to say.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | vais dire | I am going to say |
| Tu | vas dire | you are going to say |
| Il / Elle / On | va dire | he / she is going to say |
| Nous | allons dire | we are going to say |
| Vous | allez dire | you are going to say |
| Ils / Elles | vont dire | they are going to say |
Examples:
- Je vais dire la vérité. → I’m going to tell the truth.
- Elle va dire oui. → She’s going to say yes.
- Nous allons dire ce que nous pensons. → We’re going to say what we think.
This tense is extremely common in spoken French and often replaces the future simple in conversation.
Recent Past (Passé Récent)
The recent past is used to express something that was just said moments ago. It is formed with venir de + infinitive (dire). In English, it usually translates as “just said” or “have just told.”
| Subject | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Je | viens de dire | I just said |
| Tu | viens de dire | you just said |
| Il / Elle / On | vient de dire | he / she just said |
| Nous | venons de dire | we just said |
| Vous | venez de dire | you just said |
| Ils / Elles | viennent de dire | they just said |
Examples:
- Je viens de dire la même chose. → I just said the same thing.
- Elle vient de dire non. → She just said no.
- Nous venons de dire la vérité. → We just told the truth.
This structure is essential for natural, spoken French and is used far more often than the English equivalent.
What Does The Verb Dire Mean In French?
The verb dire means “to say” or “to tell,” but its use goes beyond basic speech. It is used to report information, express opinions, give instructions, introduce quotes, and relay messages. Context determines whether it functions closer to “say” or “tell” in English.
Is Dire A Regular Or Irregular Verb?
Dire is an irregular verb. Its present tense, future tense, and subjunctive forms do not follow standard patterns. Because of these changes, learners must memorize its conjugation rather than rely on predictable endings.
Why Is Dire So Common In French?
Dire appears constantly because French relies heavily on reporting speech, opinions, explanations, and instructions. Everyday conversations, storytelling, and indirect speech all depend on dire, making it essential for fluency.
How Do You Conjugate Dire In The Present Tense?
In the present tense, dire is conjugated as je dis, tu dis, il dit, nous disons, vous dites, ils disent. These forms are used for current statements, general truths, and habitual speech.
What Is The Difference Between Dire And Parler?
Dire focuses on what is said, while parler focuses on the act of speaking or the topic. You parlez about something, but you dites something specific.
How Do You Use Dire With A Direct Object?
Dire usually takes a direct object, such as la vérité or un mot. This object answers “what is said,” which helps distinguish dire from other speaking verbs.
How Do You Use Dire With An Indirect Object?
Dire often uses indirect objects like lui or leur to indicate who is being told. For example, je lui dis la vérité means “I tell him the truth.”
Why Do You Say Dis-Moi And Not Dis À Moi?
In the imperative, object pronouns attach directly to the verb. That’s why dis-moi is correct and more natural than dis à moi, which sounds incorrect in spoken French.
How Do You Use Dire In The Past Tense?
In the passé composé, dire uses avoir and becomes j’ai dit. This tense expresses a completed act of saying or telling in the past.
What Is The Difference Between Je Dis And J’ai Dit?
Je dis describes something being said now or habitually. J’ai dit refers to something already said and completed. The difference is about timing and completion.
How Do You Use Dire In The Imperfect Tense?
The imperfect tense of dire describes repeated or ongoing speech in the past. It often translates as “was saying” or “used to say” in English.
When Should You Use Disais Instead Of Ai Dit?
Use disais when describing habitual speech or background narration. Use ai dit when referring to a specific, completed statement.
How Do You Conjugate Dire In The Future Tense?
In the future tense, dire becomes je dirai, tu diras, il dira, nous dirons, vous direz, ils diront. These forms express what will be said later.
What Does Je Vais Dire Mean?
Je vais dire uses the near future and means “I am going to say.” It is extremely common in spoken French and often replaces the future simple.
How Do You Use Dire In The Recent Past?
The recent past uses venir de + dire to express something just said. For example, je viens de dire means “I just said.”
When Do You Use The Subjunctive With Dire?
The subjunctive is used after expressions of necessity, emotion, doubt, or judgment. It reflects uncertainty or subjectivity related to what is said.
How Do You Translate Que Je Dise In English?
“Que je dise” usually translates as “for me to say” or “that I should say.” English often restructures the sentence rather than using a direct subjunctive equivalent.
How Do You Conjugate Dire In The Present Subjunctive?
The present subjunctive of dire is que je dise, que tu dises, qu’il dise, que nous disions, que vous disiez, qu’ils disent.
What Is The Past Subjunctive Of Dire Used For?
The past subjunctive is used when the act of saying occurred before the main verb in a subjective or emotional context. It often translates as “to have said.”
How Do You Use Dire In The Conditional Tense?
The conditional tense expresses hypothetical speech, polite suggestions, or cautious opinions. It usually translates as “would say.”
What Does Je Dirais Mean?
Je dirais means “I would say.” It is commonly used to soften opinions or give advice politely in French.
Can Dire Be Used In Commands?
Yes, dire is commonly used in the imperative. Forms like dis, disons, and dites are frequent in everyday speech.
How Do You Use Dire In The Imperative With Pronouns?
Pronouns attach directly to the verb, as in dis-moi, dis-lui, or dites-leur. This structure is mandatory in the affirmative imperative.
Is Dire Used In Reported Speech?
Yes, dire is the main verb used in reported and indirect speech. It introduces what someone said without quoting directly.
How Is Dire Used With Quotes?
Dire is commonly used to introduce direct quotations, often followed by punctuation. It is one of the most frequent reporting verbs in written French.
What Is The Difference Between Dire And Raconter?
Dire focuses on stating information, while raconter is used for telling stories or narrating events in detail.
Can Dire Mean To Give Instructions?
Yes, dire is often used to give instructions or directions, especially when followed by an infinitive or indirect object.
How Is Dire Used In Everyday Conversation?
Dire is used constantly for opinions, reactions, explanations, and clarifications. Native speakers rely on it heavily in both casual and formal speech.
Does Dire Always Need An Object?
Most of the time, yes. Dire usually needs something being said. Without an object, the sentence often feels incomplete.
Can Dire Be Used Figuratively?
Yes, dire can express meaning beyond literal speech, such as implying, suggesting, or indicating something indirectly.
How Is Dire Different From Expliquer?
Dire states information, while expliquer focuses on giving detailed clarification. You dites a fact, but you expliquez a process.
Is Dire Used In Formal French?
Yes, dire is used in both formal and informal contexts. Tone and structure may change, but the verb itself remains common.
What Are Common Mistakes Learners Make With Dire?
Common mistakes include confusing dire with parler, misplacing object pronouns, and forgetting irregular future or subjunctive forms.
How Do You Practice Dire Effectively?
Practice dire by creating sentences with direct and indirect objects, reported speech, and different tenses. This builds confidence quickly.
Can Dire Be Used With Infinitives?
Yes, dire is often followed by an infinitive to express instructions or advice, such as dire de faire quelque chose.
How Do You Negate Dire?
Dire is negated using ne…pas around the conjugated verb, such as je ne dis rien. This structure works in all tenses.
Is Dire One Of The First Verbs Learners Should Master?
Yes, because it appears everywhere in conversation, explanations, and storytelling. Mastering dire improves comprehension and expression quickly.
Does Dire Change Meaning In Different Tenses?
The core meaning stays the same, but tense changes timing, certainty, or politeness. Understanding tense choice improves precision.
Why Is Dire Essential For Fluency?
Dire allows you to report speech, express opinions, and explain ideas clearly. Without it, communication becomes limited.
Can Dire Be Used With Adverbs?
Yes, adverbs are commonly used with dire to clarify tone, frequency, or manner, such as dire clairement or dire souvent.
Does Dire Appear In Fixed Expressions?
Yes, many fixed expressions rely on dire, especially in spoken French. Learning them improves natural flow.
How Does Dire Improve Spoken French?
Dire helps you react, report, and clarify in real time. It is a cornerstone of natural, fluent speech.
Should Beginners Learn All Dire Tenses At Once?
Beginners should start with the present, passé composé, near future, and imperative. Other tenses can be added gradually.
Why Does Dire Cause Confusion For Learners?
Its irregular forms, pronoun placement, and multiple meanings confuse learners. Clear structure and practice eliminate these issues.
Final Takeaway
The dire verb conjugation is essential because dire appears constantly in real French—giving information, expressing opinions, reporting speech, and explaining ideas. Once you understand its irregular forms and how tense affects meaning, dire becomes one of the most natural and useful verbs in your French toolbox.