N469/179

ときいた

普通形 + と聞いた普通形 + と聞く(現在形・未来形)普通形 + と聞いた/と聞いて(理由・状況の紹介)

Meanings

  • I heard that
  • I was told that
  • I heard (the information) that...

About this pattern

Explanation

ときいた is the past tense form of the quotative construction と + 聞く, meaning “I heard that ~” or “I was told that ~.” It is used when you relay information you heard from someone else rather than expressing your own certainty. The pattern can refer to something you learned recently or in the past. It often appears in reporting what someone has claimed, what a source reported, or what you were told by others. In casual speech, it can be followed by a sentence-ending particle or a change in tense depending on the context. Typical contexts include rumors, second-hand information, or background facts you didn’t verify yourself.

Learn in context

Example sentences

田中さんが転職するとは聞いた。

I heard that Tanaka is changing jobs.

天気予報によると、明日雨が降るとは聞いた。

I heard from the weather forecast that it will rain tomorrow.

彼が来るとは聞いたけれど、まだ本当に来るかは分からない。

I heard that he will come, but I’m not sure if he’ll really come.

先生が試験は難しいとは聞いた。

I heard that the exam will be difficult.