Dictionary
English - Japanese
Listen
ˈlɪs(ə)n
Extremely common
800 - 900
800 - 900
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
聞く (きく, kiku), 耳を傾ける (みみをかたむける, mimi o katamukeru), 聴く (きく, kiku), 注意して聞く (ちゅういしてきく, chuuishite kiku)
Listen meanings in Japanese
聞く (きく, kiku)
Example:
I like to listen to music.
音楽を聞くのが好きです。
Can you listen to me for a moment?
少しの間、私の話を聞いてくれますか？
Usage: InformalContext: General situations, casual conversations
Note: This is the most common translation for 'listen' and can refer to hearing sounds, music, or conversations.
耳を傾ける (みみをかたむける, mimi o katamukeru)
Example:
You should listen to your parents.
両親の言うことに耳を傾けるべきです。
He always listens to the advice of his friends.
彼はいつも友達のアドバイスに耳を傾けます。
Usage: FormalContext: Situations where someone is giving advice or important information
Note: This phrase emphasizes paying attention and being receptive to what someone is saying.
聴く (きく, kiku)
Example:
I listened to the lecture carefully.
講義を注意深く聴きました。
She listens to the radio every morning.
彼女は毎朝ラジオを聴きます。
Usage: Formal/InformalContext: More specific contexts like academic or formal listening.
Note: Used often in formal contexts, especially when referring to listening to lectures, concerts, or broadcasts.
注意して聞く (ちゅういしてきく, chuuishite kiku)
Example:
Please listen carefully to the instructions.
指示を注意して聞いてください。
He listened carefully to the teacher's explanation.
彼は先生の説明を注意して聞きました。
Usage: FormalContext: Educational or instructional settings
Note: This phrase indicates a higher level of focus and attention while listening.
Listen's synonyms
hear
To perceive sound through the ears.
Example: I can hear the birds chirping outside my window.
Note: While 'listen' implies paying attention to and focusing on the sound being heard, 'hear' simply refers to perceiving sound without necessarily actively engaging with it.
attend
To give one's attention to something; to be present and focused.
Example: Please attend to what the speaker is saying.
Note: Similar to 'listen,' 'attend' also involves focusing on something, but it can be used in a broader sense beyond just listening, such as paying attention to a task or being present.
obey
To comply with or follow a directive or command.
Example: Children should learn to obey their parents.
Note: Unlike 'listen,' which mainly refers to the act of paying attention to sounds or words, 'obey' specifically involves following instructions or commands.
heed
To take notice of and consider something seriously.
Example: It's important to heed the warning signs.
Note: While 'listen' involves actively paying attention, 'heed' emphasizes taking action or considering something seriously after paying attention.
Listen expressions, common phrases
give someone a listen
To give someone a listen means to pay attention to what they have to say or to listen to something carefully.
Example: Can you give me a listen and tell me what you think of this song?
Note: This phrase emphasizes actively paying attention, rather than just hearing passively.
listen up
Listen up is a way to get someone's attention, often used before sharing important information or instructions.
Example: Listen up, everyone! I have an important announcement to make.
Note: This phrase is a more direct and commanding way of telling someone to pay attention.
listen in
To listen in means to listen to a conversation or discussion that one is not a part of, often unintentionally or secretly.
Example: I couldn't help but listen in on their conversation; it sounded intriguing.
Note: This phrase implies eavesdropping or listening without the knowledge of the speakers.
listen out for
To listen out for something means to pay attention for a specific sound or noise.
Example: Listen out for the doorbell; the delivery should be arriving soon.
Note: This phrase involves actively focusing on a particular sound or signal in anticipation.
listen for
To listen for something means to pay attention in order to hear a particular sound or noise.
Example: I'm listening for the sound of the birds chirping in the morning.
Note: This phrase suggests actively trying to detect a specific sound amidst other noises.
listen in on
To listen in on means to secretly or inadvertently hear a private conversation or discussion.
Example: I accidentally listened in on my neighbor's argument last night.
Note: This phrase often implies unauthorized or surreptitious listening.
listen to reason
To listen to reason means to be open to logical arguments or sensible explanations.
Example: I hope she listens to reason and decides to come to a compromise.
Note: This phrase suggests being receptive to rational thinking or advice.
Listen everyday (slang) expressions
Tune in
To pay attention or focus on something, usually a TV or radio program.
Example: Make sure to tune in to the radio station tonight for the latest news.
Note: While 'listen' implies simply hearing, 'tune in' emphasizes actively engaging with the content.
Catch my drift
To understand or comprehend what someone is implying or suggesting.
Example: I explained it twice, do you catch my drift now?
Note: Unlike 'listen', 'catch my drift' involves not just hearing but also interpreting and understanding the meaning behind a message or situation.
Get an earful
To receive a long or detailed explanation, scolding, or complaint.
Example: I got an earful from my boss about being late to work again.
Note: This slang term implies receiving a more negative or unwanted form of listening experience compared to the neutral connotation of 'listen'.
Pick up what I'm putting down
To understand or grasp the implied message or hint.
Example: It's a subtle hint, see if you can pick up what I'm putting down.
Note: Similar to 'catch my drift', this phrase emphasizes understanding beyond just hearing.
Lend an ear
To give someone your attention and listen to what they have to say.
Example: Can you lend me your ear for a moment? I need to talk to you.
Note: While 'listen' is a general term, 'lend an ear' implies actively providing support or being willing to listen attentively to someone else.
Eavesdrop
To secretly listen to someone else's conversation without their knowledge.
Example: I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation at the next table.
Note: This term has a more negative connotation as it implies listening in on private conversations without permission, different from the voluntary act of 'listening'.
Turn a deaf ear
To ignore or refuse to listen to something intentionally.
Example: He turned a deaf ear to their requests for help.
Note: Instead of actively engaging in listening, 'turn a deaf ear' emphasizes the deliberate act of choosing not to hear or pay attention to something.
Listen - Examples
Listen to me carefully.
I always listen to classical music.
The teacher is a good listener.
Listen grammar
Listen - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: listen
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): listened
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): listening
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): listens
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): listen
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): listen
Syllables, Separation and Stress
listen Contains 2 syllables: lis • ten
Phonetic transcription: ˈli-sᵊn
lis ten , ˈli sᵊn (The red syllable is stressed)
Listen - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
listen: 800 - 900 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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