Japanese dictionary
How to say "listen" in Japanese
聞くきく · kiku
To "listen" in Japanese is 聞く (kiku). For listening carefully, such as to music, it is sometimes written 聴く.
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Ways to say "listen" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 聞くきく · kiku | To listen; to hear; to ask. |
| 聴くきく · kiku | To listen carefully (music, lectures). |
| 耳を傾けるみみをかたむける · mimi o katamukeru | To listen closely (formal). |
How to use it
聞く also means to ask: 駅員に聞く (ask the station staff).
"Listen to music" is 音楽を聞く (ongaku o kiku), with を.
Example sentences
- 音楽を聞きながら仕事をします。Ongaku o kikinagara shigoto o shimasu.I work while listening to music.
- ちょっと聞いてください。Chotto kiite kudasai.Please listen for a moment.
- お客様の声をよく聞くことが大切です。Okyakusama no koe o yoku kiku koto ga taisetsu desu.It's important to listen carefully to customers.
- 日本語のポッドキャストを聞いています。Nihongo no poddokyasuto o kiite imasu.I listen to Japanese podcasts.
- すみません、聞こえませんでした。Sumimasen, kikoemasen deshita.Sorry, I couldn't hear you.
- クラシックを聴くのが好きです。Kurashikku o kiku no ga suki desu.I like listening to classical music.
Kanji in this word
Questions
What is the difference between 聞く and 聞こえる?
聞く (kiku) is listening on purpose. 聞こえる (kikoeru) is being able to hear, as in 聞こえません (I can't hear).
Does 聞く also mean ask?
Yes. 聞く (kiku) means both listen and ask: 先生に聞く (ask the teacher).
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