Which one should you use?
While dinlemek is used for actively listening to something like music or a person, the verb duymak is used for the physical act of hearing a sound.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form for singular or informal 'listen!' is dinle, while the imperative form for plural or polite 'listen!' is dinleyin. The present continuous form of dinlemek is dinliyor, which means 'is listening'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /dinlemec/. The /i/ sounds like the [ee] in cr[ee]k, the /n/ is like the [n] in [n]ot, the /m/ is like the [m] in [m]uch and the /c/ is like the [k] in s[k]ew.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb duymak (to hear) when they intend to say they are paying attention to a person or music. Use dinlemek instead for intentional listening.
Did you know?
- The root of dinlemek is shared with words for 'reason' and 'mind' in Proto-Turkic. This implies that in early Turkic thought, listening was fundamentally an act of the intellect rather than just the ears.
- In Turkish, dinlemek is often used where English speakers would say 'to obey'. For example, a child might be told to dinle as a way of telling them to behave or follow instructions.
- In some contexts, dinlemek can be used to mean 'to consult' or 'to take advice from' someone, treating the act of listening as the act of accepting guidance.
Examples in context
- Sesi dinlemek için hoş.Her voice is pleasant to listen to.This sentence shows how to describe a pleasant voice to listen to using dinlemek.Tatoeba #1037502 by duran, translation #309512 by CK
- Onu dinlemek çok ilginç.It is very interesting to listen to him.This sentence is useful for describing the interest of listening to someone using dinlemek.Tatoeba #1221463 by duran, translation #287841 by al_ex_an_der
- Tom dinlemek için eğildi.Tom leaned down to listen.This sentence describes someone leaning down to listen using dinlemek.Tatoeba #4774025 by deyta, translation #3725493 by CM
- Dinleyin, lütfen!Listen, please!
- Dinle hele, çok önemli bir şey söyleyeceğim!Listen, I have something very important to tell you!
- Dinleyin lütfenPlease listen.
- Dinle, çok önemli bir şey varListen, there's something very important.
- Dinle, yarın arkadaşlarla buluşuyoruzListen, we're meeting with friends tomorrow.
- 120 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Merve are in a park listening to nature.
- CanŞu kuş seslerini dinlemek çok huzurlu.Listening to those bird sounds is very peaceful.
- MerveEvet, doğayı dinlemek beni rahatlatıyor.Yes, listening to nature relaxes me.
- CanMerve, rüzgarın sesini dinle.Merve, listen to the sound of the wind.
- MerveGerçekten çok güzel bir ses.It really is a beautiful sound.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listen” translations and entries dinlemek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dinlemek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
