hear
gb/hˈɪɹ/ us/hˈɪɹ/
A1
English
~ 300
hall, meghall, hírt kap, értesül, tárgyal, meghallgat, végighallgat
VERB
A1
1
Usage pattern:
to hear [something/someone]
I can hear music coming from the next room.
Hallom, hogy zene szól a szomszéd szobából.
She heard the baby crying in the middle of the night.
Az éjszaka közepén meghallotta, hogy sír a baba.
We heard footsteps behind us.
He could hear the birds singing outside his window.
Learner examples
I hear a dog barking.
Hallom, hogy ugat egy kutya.
She hears the phone ringing.
Hallja, hogy csörög a telefon.
We hear the teacher talking.
He hears water running.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'hear' and 'listen'. 'Hear' is about noticing sound; 'listen' means to pay attention to it.
Meaning
Perceive sound with the ears
Collocations
hear a noise
|hear a voice
|hear footsteps
|hear the doorbell
Synonyms
listen (Implies paying attention to sound, whereas 'hear' can happen without intention.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to intentionally not pay attention, opposite in focus to perceiving.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To notice a sound with your ears.
To become aware of a sound through the sense of hearing.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to hear about [something]
Did you hear about the new restaurant opening downtown?
Hallottál a belvárosban nyíló új étteremről?
I heard from John that you're moving to Canada.
Johntól hallottam, hogy Kanadába költözöl.
She was shocked when she heard the news.
Have you heard what happened yesterday?
Learner examples
I heard about your trip.
Hallottam az utazásodról.
She heard from her friend yesterday.
Tegnap hírt kapott a barátjától.
We heard the news on TV.
He heard about the game from his brother.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'about' in 'hear about' when talking about news or events.
Meaning
Be told or learn of something
Collocations
hear the news
|hear about a plan
|hear from a friend
Synonyms
learn (Refers to gaining knowledge; 'hear' emphasizes receiving it through communication.)
Antonyms
remain unaware (Means not knowing about something, opposite of being informed.)
Themes
communication
|news
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To learn news or information from someone or somewhere.
To be informed about something through spoken or written communication.
VERB
B2
3
tárgyal
B2
meghallgat
B1
Usage pattern:
to hear [a case/appeal]
The court will hear the case next week.
A bíróság a jövő héten tárgyalja az ügyet.
The committee heard several proposals before making a decision.
A bizottság több javaslatot is megtárgyalt, mielőtt döntést hozott.
The judge heard testimony from both witnesses.
Learner examples
The court will hear the case tomorrow.
A bíróság holnap tárgyalja az ügyet.
The teacher will hear both sides of the story.
A tanár mindkét felet meg fogja hallgatni.
The judge will hear the witness.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with simply 'listening'; here it implies formal consideration.
Meaning
Listen to and consider arguments
Collocations
hear a case
|hear an appeal
|hear testimony
Synonyms
adjudicate (More formal and legal; includes making a judgment after hearing.)
Antonyms
dismiss (To refuse to consider a case or argument.)
Themes
law
|meetings
|communication
Definition
To listen carefully to what people say in an official meeting or court.
To listen to and officially consider arguments, evidence, or cases, especially in a legal or formal setting.
VERB
B1
4
végighallgat
B1
meghallgat
B1
Usage pattern:
to hear [someone out]
Please hear me out before you make a decision.
Kérlek, hallgass végig, mielőtt döntesz.
She refused to hear his excuses.
Nem volt hajlandó meghallgatni a kifogásait.
The manager heard all employees' complaints.
Learner examples
Please hear me out.
Kérlek, hallgass végig.
He heard her story.
Végighallgatta a történetét.
The teacher heard my question.
Meaning
Allow someone to speak and be listened to
Collocations
hear someone out
|hear opinions
Synonyms
listen to ('Listen to' is broader; 'hear' in this sense often means allowing full expression before responding.)
Antonyms
interrupt (To stop someone before they finish speaking.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
To let someone talk so you can know what they think or feel.
To give someone an opportunity to speak and express their views or feelings.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hear
IPA
GB/hˈɪɹ/
US/hˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
hear (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hear)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: hear
- 3rd Person Singular: hears
- Present Participle: hearing
- Past: heard
- Past Participle: heard
Word family
Highlights
- Irregular past: heard Verb
- Irregular past participle: heard Verb
Expressions
can't hear yourself think
1/kˈænt hˈɪɹ jʊɹsˈɛlf θˈɪŋk/
idiom
informal
Too noisy to think clearly
Used when it is very noisy and hard to think or speak clearly.
Examples
- It's so loud in here I can't hear myself think!
hear from someone
1/hˈɪɹ fɹˈʌm sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Receive communication from someone
To get a letter, email, phone call, or message from someone.
Examples
- I haven't heard from Sarah in weeks.
- You'll hear from me as soon as I have news.
hear of something/someone
1/hˈɪɹ əv səmˈɛθɪŋsˈoʊmˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Be aware of through information received
To know about something or someone because you were told or read about it.
Examples
- I've never heard of that movie before.
- Have you heard of Dr. Lee?
make yourself heard
1/mˈeɪk jʊɹsˈɛlf hˈɚd/
fixed phrase
Speak loudly enough for others to hear you clearly
To speak in a way that people can hear you clearly, especially in a noisy place.
Examples
- He had to shout to make himself heard over the crowd.