¿me escuchaste?
The English phrase "did you hear me?" is translated into Spanish as ¿me escuchaste?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone physically heard the words that were spoken.
Which one should you use?
There is a subtle distinction between using the verb escuchar and oír. While escuchar implies listening or paying attention, the verb oír in the phrase ¿me oíste? focuses more strictly on the physical ability to perceive sound.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ¿me escuchaste? refers to a specific moment in the past. If you want to ask if someone hears you right now, use the present tense form ¿me escuchas?
Did you know?
- The word escuchar is a cognate of the English word 'listen' in meaning, but it shares a distant historical root with the word 'school', as both relate to a place or act of focused attention.
- If you are speaking on a bad phone connection, a common way to ask 'did you hear me?' is to say ¿se me escucha? which translates to 'am I being heard?'
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you want to ask if someone heard your words clearly, you might ask ¿me entendiste? instead, which literally translates to 'did you understand me?'
Examples in context
- ¿Me escuchaste cuando te dije que no?Did you hear me when I told you no?
- Te dije que no, ¿me escuchaste?I told you no, did you hear me?
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to talk to Elena in a noisy cafe.
- MateoElena, ¿me escuchaste?Elena, did you hear me?
- ElenaLo siento, Mateo, no te escuché.I am sorry, Mateo, I didn't hear you.
- MateoTe pregunté si quieres café.I asked you if you want coffee.
- ElenaSí, por favor.Yes, please.
