écouter
/e.ku.te/
The English phrase "listen to" is translated into French as écouter.
The verb écouter is used when you pay attention to a sound or to a person speaking. You can use the phrase écouter l'avis de quelqu'un to specifically mean "listen to someone's opinion".
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish écouter from entendre. While écouter means to listen with intention, entendre is used for the involuntary act of hearing a sound.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a regular '-er' verb, écouter follows standard conjugation patterns for the present, imperfect and future tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.ku.te/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying écouter à. English speakers often mistakenly add the preposition 'à' because they are translating "listen to" literally, but écouter is a direct transitive verb and does not require a preposition.
Did you know?
- The verb écouter shares a common root with the English word 'scout', which comes from the same Latin source meaning to listen or to hear.
- In French, the command Écoute-moi ! can mean more than just 'listen to me'. Depending on the tone, it is often used as a warning or a way to assert dominance in an argument, similar to saying 'Now look here'.
- The phrase être à l'écoute does not just mean the act of hearing, but describes a state of being empathetic or attentive to others' needs.
Examples in context
- Il ne m'écoutera pas.He won't listen to me.This example shows the use of écouter in a future tense context.Tatoeba #11569099 by Aiji, translation #2454473 by Hybrid
- Il ne va pas m'écouter.He will not listen to me.This example shows the use of écouter with a near future construction.Tatoeba #131229 by dominiko, translation #291954 by CK
- Je refuse de t'écouter.I don't want to listen to you.This example shows the use of écouter following the verb 'refuser'.Tatoeba #5950473 by sacredceltic, translation #1358655 by CK
- Écoutez cette musique magnifique !Listen to this beautiful music!
- Prêtez l'oreille au professeur, il explique une théorie très intéressante.Listen to the professor, he is explaining a very interesting theory.
- Écoute cette chanson, elle est géniale !Listen to this song, it's awesome!
- Prête une oreille attentive au conte que je vais te raconter.Listen carefully to the tale I'm going to tell you.
- Écoute son avis, il a une perspective intéressante sur le sujet.Listen to his opinion, he has an interesting perspective on the subject.
- Écoute attentivement ce que je vais te dire.Listen carefully to what I'm going to tell you.
- 138 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are in a living room listening to music.
- HugoTu peux écouter ce morceau, Léa ?Can you listen to this track, Léa?
- LéaOui, je l'écoute attentivement.Yes, I am listening to it carefully.
- HugoC'est une chanson très calme.It is a very calm song.
- LéaC'est vrai, j'adore écouter ce genre de musique.It's true, I love listening to this kind of music.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry écouter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries écouter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
