Which one should you use?
While English uses the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'listen to music'), French uses écouter as a direct transitive verb, meaning the object follows it immediately without a preposition.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of France, the informal phrase Fais attention is used in conversation to mean 'Listen' or 'Pay attention'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of this verb is écouté, which is used with the auxiliary verb avoir to form compound tenses like the passé composé.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /e.ku.te/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid adding the preposition à before the object of the verb. For example, do not say écouter à la musique when you should say écouter la musique.
When do people say it?
To politely request that someone listen to you in a formal context, you can use the expression Prêtez l'oreille.
Did you know?
- In French, you can use écouter to mean 'obey'. A parent telling a child Écoute-moi! might actually be telling them to do as they are told.
- The French word écoute can also refer to 'wiretapping' or 'eavesdropping' in a security context, such as une mise sur écoute.
- In medical contexts, French uses the related verb ausculter to describe a doctor listening to a patient's heart or lungs.
Examples in context
- Il ne m'écoutera pas.He won't listen to me.This sentence shows how to use écouter in a negative future context.Tatoeba #11569099 by Aiji, translation #2454473 by Hybrid
- Tom ne va pas écouter.Tom isn't going to listen.This sentence uses écouter to show an intention in the near future.Tatoeba #5372008 by Aiji, translation #3442288 by CK
- Il ne va pas m'écouter.He will not listen to me.This sentence demonstrates the use of écouter in a future statement.Tatoeba #131229 by dominiko, translation #291954 by CK
- Écoutez attentivement, s'il vous plaîtListen attentively, please.
- Prêtez l'oreille à mes parolesListen to my words.
- Écoute-moi attentivementListen to me attentively.
- Écoute-moi bien, je sais comment résoudre ce problème.Listen to me carefully, I know how to solve this problem.
- Fais attention à ce que je disListen to what I'm saying.
- Écoutez, mesdames et messieurs, j'ai des nouvelles importantes à annoncer.Listen, ladies and gentlemen, I have important news to announce.
- Prêtez l'oreille à votre professeur pour comprendre cette leçon.Listen to your teacher to understand this lesson.
- Fais attention à ce que je vais te dire maintenant.Listen to what I'm about to tell you now.
- 186 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are in a park and hear a strange noise.
- ManonLucas, écoute ce bruit !Lucas, listen to that noise!
- LucasJe n'entends rien du tout.I don't hear anything at all.
- ManonTu dois mieux écouter.You have to listen better.
- LucasAh oui, j'écoute maintenant !Ah yes, I'm listening now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listen” translations and entries écouter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
