据说

• Pinyin: jù shuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 据 = 扌(hand) + 居 (to reside, phonetic), meaning to rely on or according to; 说 = 讠(speech) + 兑 (exchange), meaning to speak

Meaning

It is said; reportedly; allegedly. Used to introduce information that the speaker has heard but cannot personally confirm.

A hearsay marker that distances the speaker from the truth of the statement. Commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence. Similar to 听说, but 据说 is slightly more formal and implies the information comes from a more authoritative or widespread source.

Examples

1. 据说这家餐厅的菜很好吃。 It's said that this restaurant's food is very good.
2. 据说明天会下大雨。 Reportedly, it will rain heavily tomorrow.
3. 据说他以前是一位老师。 It's said that he used to be a teacher.

Usage Guide

Context: hearsay, news, everyday

Tone: tentative

Do Say

• 据说那个地方的风景很美。(It's said that the scenery there is beautiful.)
• 据说公司要搬到新办公室。(Reportedly, the company is moving to a new office.)

Don't Say

• 据说我昨天吃了火锅。(Don't use 据说 for your own confirmed actions — it's for unverified information from others. Say 我昨天吃了火锅.)

Origin & History

Compound of 据 (according to, based on) and 说 (to say, to speak). Literally 'according to what is said' — reported speech.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal