音楽を聴いています
ongaku o kiite imasu
To say 'I am listening to music' in Japanese, you use 音楽を聴いています (ongaku o kiite imasu).
This phrase is used to state that you are currently in the process of listening to music. Note that the kanji 聞く is also frequently used for 'to listen' in many different contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 音楽 (music), を (the object marker), 聴いて (the te-form of the verb to listen) and います (the auxiliary verb indicating an ongoing action).
Which one should you use?
While 音楽を聴いています is the standard way to describe the action, 音楽を鑑賞しています is a more sophisticated formal expression that implies you are appreciating the music as art. For a more casual tone, you can use the shortened and colloquial 音楽を聴いてる. If you want to add emphasis to your statement in an informal setting, you can use 音楽を聴いてるよ. Additionally, if you want to say you are playing music, you can use the informal expression 音楽を流してる.
How do you pronounce it?
ongaku o kiite imasu
Did you know?
- While 聴いています describes the act of listening, the phrase 音楽を流してる treats music as a liquid, implying that the sound is flowing through the space like water.
- When stating you are listening to music, you almost never need to say the word 'I' in Japanese, as the context of the sentence makes it clear.
- The kanji used in 聴く specifically implies a focused, intentional act of listening, often with the whole heart, whereas 聞く is used for the passive act of hearing a sound or a piece of information.
Examples in context
- 会議中ですが音楽を聴いています。I am in a meeting, but I am listening to music.
- 今、音楽を聴いてる。I am listening to music right now.
- 今、音楽を聴いています。Ima, ongaku o kiite imasu.I am listening to music now.
- 部屋で音楽を聴いています。Heya de ongaku o kiite imasu.I am listening to music in my room.
Example conversation
Ren is wearing headphones and Yui asks what he is doing.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、何をしているの？Ren-kun, nani o shite iru no?Ren, what are you doing?
- 蓮 Ren音楽を聴いています。Ongaku o kiite imasu.I am listening to music.
- 結衣 Yuiいい曲ですね。Ii kyoku desu ne.That is a good song.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
