聞く
kiku[kʲi̥kɯ̟]
To listen in Japanese is 聞く (kiku).
The verb 聞く means to pay attention to a sound. It is a versatile word that can mean to hear, to listen or even to ask, depending on the context of the sentence.
Meaning: to pay attention to a sound (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 聞く is the general term for hearing or listening, the kanji 聴く is specifically used when one listens intently or listens to music/art with appreciation. Additionally, 聞く is a homograph that can also mean 'to ask' depending on the particles and context used in the sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a polite request meaning 'please listen', use the te-form 聞いて followed by ください. The polite past tense of the verb is 聞きました, meaning 'listened' or 'heard'. For the negative form, you can use 聞かない in plain form or 聞きません in polite form to say 'not listen' or 'not hear'.
How do you pronounce it?
kiku
What mistakes should you avoid?
In very casual situations, the phrase ちょっと待って (wait a moment) can be used to say listen casually.
Did you know?
- The word 聞く is used to describe the effectiveness of a medicine, such as when a painkiller 'works' or 'kicks in'.
- In Japanese, the same word 聞く can mean both 'to listen' and 'to obey'. For example, a child who does not listen to their parents is said to not 聞く.
- The earliest recorded form of this verb appeared in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese chronicle from 712 CE, spelled as 岐加受.
Examples in context
- あなたは聞くべきだ。I think you ought to listen.This sentence shows how to use the verb 聞く to express an obligation.Tatoeba #8579873 by small_snow, translation #2409230 by CK
- 僕は今夜聞くつもりなんだ。I intend to listen to it tonight.This sentence demonstrates using the verb to express an intention to listen to something tonight.Tatoeba #81889 by KK_kaku_, translation #321825 by CK
- 私の趣味は音楽を聞くことです。My hobby is to listen to music.This sentence uses the verb to describe a hobby involving listening to music.Tatoeba #6013 by bunbuku, translation #6011 by Zifre
- 聴いてください！Listen!
- お聞きください、大切な話です。Please listen, it's an important matter.
- 耳を傾けてください、皆さんにお知らせがあります。Please lend an ear, I have an announcement for everyone.
- ちょっと聞いて、面白い話があるよ。Listen, I have an interesting story.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Yui are talking about a new song.
- 陽太 Yotaこの曲を聞く？Kono kyoku o kiku?Do you want to listen to this song?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、聞きたい！Un, kikitai!Yes, I want to listen!
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、一緒に聞こう。Jaa, issho ni kikou.Then, let's listen together.
- 結衣 Yuiいい曲だね。Ii kyoku da ne.It's a great song, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listen” translations and entries 聞く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 聞く, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
