音楽を聴きます
ongaku o kikimasu
音楽を聴きます (ongaku o kikimasu) is the Japanese phrase for "I listen to music".
This is a statement used to express the habit or action of listening to music.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 音楽 (music), the particle を (object marker) and 聴きます (to listen).
Which one should you use?
The kanji used in 聴きます specifically implies listening attentively or enjoying music, as opposed to 聞きます which can mean simply hearing a sound.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form 音楽を聴く is used in casual conversation with friends or family, whereas 音楽を聴きます is the polite form used with strangers or in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you are currently in the act of listening to music right now, use the continuous form 音楽を聴いています instead of the habitual form 音楽を聴きます. To change the phrase to the past tense, change the verb ending to 聴きました.
How do you pronounce it?
ongaku o kikimasu
Did you know?
- In modern Japanese slang, if you are obsessed with a certain genre of music, you might say you are ハマっています (hamatte imasu), which literally means you have 'fallen into a hole'.
- The kanji 楽 in 音楽 can also be read as raku, meaning 'comfort' or 'ease', which transforms the word for 'music' into a concept of 'comfortable sound'.
- The phrase 音楽を聴きます can be understood as 'I listen to music' or 'I will listen to music' because the present tense in Japanese also functions as the future tense.
Examples in context
- 音楽を聴きます。I listen to music.This sentence is useful for stating the habit of listening to music with the form 音楽を聴きます.Tatoeba #188262 by bunbuku, translation #25404 by CK
- 暇な時は、音楽を聴きます。Hima na toki wa, ongaku o kikimasu.When I have free time, I listen to music.
- 寝る前に音楽を聴きます。Neru mae ni ongaku o kikimasu.I listen to music before going to sleep.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんは暇な時に何をしますか。Youta-san wa hima na toki ni nani o shimasu ka.What do you do in your free time, Youta?
- 陽太 Yotaよく音楽を聴きます。Yoku ongaku o kikimasu.I often listen to music.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。どんな音楽が好きですか。Ii desu ne. Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka.That's nice. What kind of music do you like?
- 陽太 Yotaジャズが好きです。Jazu ga suki desu.I like jazz.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
