escucharse el uno al otro
/eskut͡ʃaɾse el uno al otɾo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'listen to each other' is escucharse el uno al otro.
This phrase is used to describe the act of paying attention to what other people in a group are saying.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb escucharse (to listen to oneself/each other) and the reciprocal pronoun phrase el uno al otro (one to the other).
Which one should you use?
You may also use the shorter escucharse, as the reflexive form can often imply that people are listening to one another without needing further explanation. If you are referring to a group of more than two people, unos a otros is often used instead of el uno al otro.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskutʃaɾse el uno al otɾo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a lack of escucharse in a conversation is not seen as rudeness but as a sign of passion, where people overlap their speech to show engagement.
- The word uno is a direct linguistic cousin of the Russian word один (odin), both tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European root for 'single'.
- The verb escuchar can imply not just physical hearing, but also the social act of 'obeying' or 'heeding' advice or commands.
Examples in context
- Escúchense mutuamente para lograr una mejor comprensión en esta discusión.Listen to each other to achieve better understanding in this discussion.
- Escuchémonos y trabajemos en equipo.Let's listen to each other and work as a team.
- Tenemos que escucharnos para evitar errores en el proyecto.We have to listen to each other to avoid mistakes in the project.
- Prometemos escucharnos y colaborar eficientemente.We promise to listen to each other and collaborate efficiently.
- Deben escucharse el uno al otro en la reunión.You must listen to each other in the meeting.
- Es importante escucharse el uno al otro siempre.It is important to always listen to each other.
- Si quieren resolver el problema, deben escucharse el uno al otro.If you want to solve the problem, you must listen to each other.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing a project together.
- ElenaSiento que no nos estamos entendiendo, Mateo.I feel like we are not understanding each other, Mateo.
- MateoTienes razón, necesitamos escucharse el uno al otro más.You are right, we need to listen to each other more.
- ElenaEstoy de acuerdo, hablemos con calma.I agree, let's talk calmly.
- MateoPerfecto, te escucho ahora mismo, Elena.Perfect, I am listening to you right now, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, otro, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
