B1 · متوسط فصل 2

Reporting What People Say

5 القواعد الإجمالية
51 أمثلة
6 دقيقة
القواعد في هذا الفصل تدريب سريع

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the ability to relay conversations accurately and naturally with indirect speech mastery.

  • Construct sentences that seamlessly report what others have said.
  • Adjust verb tenses and pronouns to maintain logical flow.
  • Convert direct questions into indirect, fluid statements.
Master the art of relaying conversations with ease.

ما ستتعلمه

Ever wanted to share what someone else said but weren't quite sure how to phrase it naturally in French? This chapter is your key to unlocking super fluent conversations! We're diving deep into the art of indirect speech (discours indirect) so you can effortlessly relay information and sound like a true native speaker. You'll start by mastering how to introduce reported speech using a variety of natural introductory verbs like he says that... or she explained that..., making your French feel rich and dynamic. We'll then tackle the straightforward process of adjusting verb tenses, especially when you're reporting something that was said in the past – it’s a simple rule that makes a huge difference! Next, you'll learn to correctly change pronouns so you can clearly communicate who said what, without any awkward mix-ups. And for those tricky questions? We've got you covered! You'll discover how to report simple yes/no questions using the word si, and how to handle where, when, or why questions by keeping the question word but using a simple statement structure. Imagine telling a friend what your teacher announced about homework, or sharing a funny thing someone said at a party. By the end of this chapter, you’ll confidently be able to relay any conversation in French, making your chat skills truly shine!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use introductory verbs to report statements accurately.

دليل الفصل

نظرة عامة

Welcome, B1 French learners! Have you ever found yourself wanting to share a juicy piece of gossip, relay an important message, or simply tell someone what your friend said, but struggled to phrase it naturally in French? This chapter is your ultimate guide to mastering reporting what people say, also known as discours indirect (indirect speech).
It’s a fundamental skill in French grammar that will significantly elevate your conversational fluency and make you sound much more like a native speaker.
Understanding discours indirect is crucial for moving beyond basic sentence structures. At the CEFR B1 level, you're expected to be able to express yourself more complexly, and seamlessly integrating reported speech into your conversations is a huge step in that direction. We'll break down the rules for introducing reported speech with a variety of verbs, handling tricky tense changes, and correctly adjusting pronouns.
By the end of this chapter, you’ll confidently be able to transform direct quotes into smooth, indirect reports, making your French interactions richer and more dynamic. Get ready to unlock a whole new level of communication!

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

Mastering discours indirect in French means learning how to transform direct speech into a reported statement or question. This involves a few key steps: choosing the right introductory verb, adjusting verb tenses, and changing pronouns.
First, you'll need an introductory verb. Common ones include dire que (to say that), expliquer que (to explain that), affirmer que (to affirm that), répondre que (to answer that), or déclarer que (to declare that). For example, if someone says Je suis fatigué (I am tired), you would report it as "Il dit qu'il est fatigué" (He says that he is tired).
Notice the use of que (that) to link the introductory clause to the reported statement.
Next, let's talk about Reporting what people said (Tense Changes). This is often the trickiest part! If the introductory verb is in the present tense, the reported verb tense usually stays the same.
"Elle dit : 'Je viendrai.'" (She says: 'I will come.') becomes "Elle dit qu'elle viendra.
(She says that she will come.). However, if the introductory verb is in a past tense (like il a dit or il disait), the reported verb tense will shift. A present tense becomes the imperfect:
Il a dit : 'Je suis prêt.'" (He said: 'I am ready.') becomes "Il a dit qu'il était prêt." (He said that he was ready.).
A future tense becomes the conditional: "Il a dit : 'Je voyagerai.'" (He said: 'I will travel.') becomes "Il a dit qu'il voyagerait." (He said that he would travel.). The imperfect tense generally remains the imperfect.
Then, there's Indirect Speech: Changing Pronouns. This is logical: Je (I) becomes il/elle (he/she), tu (you) becomes il/elle (he/she), and nous (we) becomes ils/elles (they) depending on the context. For instance, "Elle a dit : 'Je veux un café.'" (She said: 'I want a coffee.') becomes "Elle a dit qu'elle voulait un café." (She said that she wanted a coffee.).
Finally, for questions, we use different structures. For Reporting Yes/No Questions (si), use si (if/whether). "Il a demandé : 'Est-ce que tu viens ?'" (He asked: 'Are you coming?') becomes
Il a demandé si tu venais.
(He asked if you were coming.).
For French Reported Speech: Asking 'Where/When/Why', you keep the question word (où, quand, pourquoi, comment) but turn the question into a statement. "Elle a demandé : 'Où vas-tu ?'" (She asked: 'Where are you going?') becomes
Elle a demandé où tu allais.
(She asked where you were going.). Notice that the inversion (vas-tu) is removed, and the subject-verb order of a statement is used (tu allais).

الأخطاء الشائعة

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Il a dit qu'il est venu."
✓ Correct: "Il a dit qu'il était venu."
*Explanation:* When the introductory verb is in the past tense (il a dit), the reported past tense (est venu - passé composé) must shift to the pluperfect (était venu) to reflect the sequence of events correctly. This is a common error in B1 French when reporting what people said.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Elle a demandé que tu viens ?
✓ Correct:
Elle a demandé si tu venais.
*Explanation:* For Reporting Yes/No Questions (si), you must use si (if/whether) instead of que (that), and the reported clause should be a statement, not a question. Also, remember the tense shift if the introductory verb is in the past.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Ils ont demandé: 'Qu'est-ce que tu fais?' (Reported as: Ils ont demandé qu'est-ce que je faisais.")
✓ Correct:
Ils ont demandé ce que je faisais.
*Explanation:* When the direct question uses qu'est-ce que (what), it changes to ce que in French reported speech. Similarly, qu'est-ce qui (what - subject) becomes ce qui. The tense shift also applies here.

محادثات حقيقية

A

A

Mon professeur a dit :
Le devoir est pour lundi prochain.
(My teacher said:
The homework is for next Monday.
)
B

B

Ah d'accord, donc il a dit que le devoir était pour lundi prochain. (Oh okay, so he said that the homework was for next Monday.)
A

A

Elle m'a demandé :
Est-ce que tu as déjà visité Paris ?
(She asked me:
Have you already visited Paris?
)
B

B

Oui, et je lui ai répondu que oui, j'y étais allé l'année dernière. (Yes, and I told her that yes, I had gone there last year.)
A

A

Il voulait savoir :
Quand est-ce que le film commence ?
(He wanted to know:
When does the movie start?
)
B

B

Je lui ai dit que le film commençait à huit heures. (I told him that the movie started at eight o'clock.)

أسئلة شائعة

Q

What are the main introductory verbs for discours indirect in B1 French?

Common verbs include dire que (to say that), expliquer que (to explain that), demander si (to ask if), répondre que (to answer that), and affirmer que (to affirm that).

Q

How do verb tenses change when reporting what people said if the introductory verb is in the past?

Generally, a present tense shifts to the imperfect, a future tense to the conditional, and a passé composé or imperfect remains imperfect (or passé composé can become pluperfect for clarity of sequence).

Q

Can I use que to report a where or when question in French reported speech?

No, for 'wh-' questions, you keep the original question word (où, quand, comment, etc.) and follow it with a statement structure (subject + verb), not que.

Q

What happens to tu and je pronouns in indirect speech: changing pronouns?

Je typically becomes il or elle, and tu also becomes il or elle, depending on who the speaker is reporting about.

السياق الثقافي

In French, using discours indirect is incredibly common and essential for natural conversation. Native speakers frequently relay information, anecdotes, and opinions using these structures. Mastering it shows a higher level of fluency and allows for more nuanced communication, moving beyond simply repeating direct quotes.
It's not just a grammar rule; it's a fundamental part of how French people share stories and interact daily, making your B1 French sound much more authentic.

أمثلة رئيسية (6)

1

Il dit qu'il est en retard.

يقول إنه متأخر.

الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)
2

Ils disent qu'ils aiment la pizza.

يقولون إنهم يحبون البيتزا.

الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)
3

Il me demande si je suis libre ce soir.

يسألني إذا كنت متفرغاً الليلة.

نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)
4

Elle veut savoir si tu as vu son post Instagram.

تريد أن تعرف إذا كنت قد رأيت منشورها على إنستغرام.

نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)
5

Il demande où tu vas.

هو يسأل إلى أين تذهب.

الكلام المنقول في الفرنسية: السؤال بـ 'أين/متى/لماذا'
6

Elle veut savoir quand le {le|m} film commence.

هي تريد أن تعرف متى يبدأ الفيلم.

الكلام المنقول في الفرنسية: السؤال بـ 'أين/متى/لماذا'

نصائح وحيل (4)

💡

الرابط السحري 'Que'

في الإنجليزي ممكن نحذف 'that'، بس في الفرنسي مستحيل! لازم دايمًا تستخدم que عشان تربط جملتك صح: "Il dit qu'il arrive."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل الكلام: 'يقول إن...' (Discours indirect)
⚠️

فخ أداة الربط 'Que'

إياك أن تحذف que. في الإنجليزية غالباً ما نحذف 'that'، لكن في الفرنسية هذا خطأ فادح: "Il a dit qu'il était occupé."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل ما قاله الآخرون (تغيير الأزمنة)
⚠️

قاعدة الـ 'Que' الإلزامية

في الفرنسية لا يمكن حذف que أبداً، حتى لو كان ذلك ممكناً في الإنجليزية. دائماً قل: "Il dit qu'il vient."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)
⚠️

فخ كلمة Elle

لا تكتب "s'elle« أبداً! رغم أنها تبدو منطقية مقارنة بـ »s'il«، إلا أنها خطأ فادح في الفرنسية: »Il demande si elle arrive."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)

المفردات الرئيسية (5)

dire que to say that expliquer que to explain that si if/whether demander to ask le discours indirect indirect speech

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Office Update

Review Summary

  • Subject + Verb (dire/expliquer) + que + [Clause]
  • Present -> Imparfait
  • Je -> Il/Elle, Tu -> Je
  • Demander + si + [Statement structure]
  • Demander + [Question word] + [Statement structure]

أخطاء شائعة

Remember elision (qu'il) and the tense shift (est -> était) after a past introductory verb.

Wrong: Il a dit que il est fatigué.
صحيح: Il a dit qu'il était fatigué.

Do not use 'est-ce que' after 'si'. Simply follow 'si' with a standard statement structure.

Wrong: Il a demandé si est-ce que je viens.
صحيح: Il a demandé si je venais.

Ensure the pronoun matches the original speaker (elle) and the verb agrees in gender.

Wrong: Elle a dit que je suis parti.
صحيح: Elle a dit qu'elle était partie.

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job today. Keep practicing these shifts, and you'll be relaying stories like a native in no time!

Listen to a French podcast and try to summarize what the guest said using indirect speech.

Continue to: Reporting Commands and Time

تدريب سريع (6)

جد الخطأ في ترتيب الكلمات وقم بتصحيحه.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je demande si peut-il m'aider.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je demande s'il peut m'aider.
في الكلام المنقول، يجب أن يعود ترتيب الكلمات لطبيعته (il peut) بعد si.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)

املأ الفراغ بالصيغة الصحيحة لـ "si".

Il veut savoir ___ il peut venir avec nous.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: s'
لأن il تبدأ بحرف متحرك، يجب دمج si لتصبح "s'".

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)

صحح الخطأ في هذه الجملة.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il dit que il a faim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il dit qu'il a faim.
يجب اختصار 'Que' إلى 'qu'' قبل حرف العلة في 'il'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)

املأ الفراغ بالضمير وتصريف الفعل الصحيح.

Marie dit : « Je suis contente. » -> Marie dit ___ contente.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: qu'elle est
بما أن ماري هي المتحدثة، 'je' تصبح 'elle' وفعل 'être' يصرف كـ 'est'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)

أي جملة هي النقل الصحيح للسؤال؟

السؤال المباشر: 'Est-ce qu'elle est là ?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il demande si elle est là.
كلمة si لا تندمج مع elle، ويجب استخدام الترتيب العادي (فاعل + فعل).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: نقل الأسئلة بنعم أو لا (si)

أي جملة تنقل بشكل صحيح: « Nous arrivons » ؟

يقولون إنهم قادمون:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ils disent qu'ils arrivent.
تحتاج إلى 'que'، والضمير 'ils'، والنهاية الصحيحة للفعل 'ent'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: الكلام غير المباشر: تغيير الضمائر (Discours indirect)

Score: /6

أسئلة شائعة (6)

أكيد ينفع، بس الموضوع بيبقى ممل. استخدام أفعال زي affirmer أو expliquer بيدي دقة وشياكة لكلامك.
الجملة هتبان مكسرة وغير مترابطة. جملة زي
Il dit il vient
غلط تمامًا في الفرنسي.
هو عندما تخبر شخصاً بما قاله شخص آخر دون اقتباس مباشر. بدلاً من قول « Je suis là »، تقول "Il a dit qu'il était là".
فقط عندما يكون فعل القول (مثل dire) في زمن الماضي، مثل passé composé. إذا كان في الحاضر، لا تغير شيئاً. مثلاً: "Il dit qu'il vient".
لأن «أنا» التي قالها الشخص الأصلي ليست أنت! إذا لم تغيرها، سيعتقد الناس أنك تتحدث عن نفسك. مثال: "Il dit qu'il est là".
نعم، لكن في الفرنسية هي إجبارية. لا يمكنك قول
Il dit il est là
، بل يجب قول "Il dit qu'il est là".
الفصل السابق
Organizing and Refining Your Speech
الفصل التالي
Reporting Commands and Time
العودة إلى خارطة الطريق