说是 说是去了通州了
“They said they've gone to Tongzhou.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
那他们去哪儿了
“Then where did they go?”
说是 说是 去了通州了
“They said they've gone to Tongzhou.”
通州
“Tongzhou?”
“Don't blame me if this is wrong; that's just what people are saying.”
Subordinates in traditional Chinese households often hedge their answers with 'it is said' to shield themselves from blame if the information turns out to be inaccurate.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
it is said that / supposedly
Use this at the start of a sentence when repeating hearsay or when you want to avoid taking personal responsibility for the information.
Marks the completion of an action and indicates a newly realized state.