音楽を聴く
ongaku o kiku
The English phrase 'listen to music' is translated into Japanese as 音楽を聴く (ongaku o kiku).
音楽を聴く is used to describe the act of paying attention to sounds from a musical instrument or singer for enjoyment, rather than just hearing background noise.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 音楽 (music), the particle を which acts as an object marker and 聴く (to listen/hear).
Which one should you use?
The kanji used in this phrase, 聴 in 聴く, is used specifically for listening to music or something one intends to hear. This contrasts with 聞く, which is used for the general act of hearing or asking a question.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of listening to music right now, use the ~ている form. To express that you listened to music in the past, change the verb to the past tense 音楽を聴きました.
How do you pronounce it?
ongaku o kiku
Did you know?
- In Japan, 音楽 (music) is a compound of 音 (sound) and 楽 (comfort or ease). This implies that music is literally 'comfortable sound'.
- If you say you are 'listening' to a person using the kanji 聴く, it sounds much more profound and respectful than simply hearing their words, as if you are deeply absorbing their message.
- Even though 音楽を聴く is the standard, in very casual speech, people sometimes omit the particle を entirely, saying just 音楽聴く.
Examples in context
- 音楽を聴くのが好きです。I like to listen to music.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference using 音楽を聴く.Tatoeba #10352634 by small_snow, translation #1232224 by falcons84
- 音楽を聴くのはとても楽しい。It is a lot of fun to listen to music.This sentence is useful for describing how much fun it is to use 音楽を聴く.Tatoeba #188260 by bunbuku, translation #25402 by CC
- 多くの場合、音楽を聴く時に心に浮かぶ映像はＣＤのアートワークです。In many cases, the image that comes to mind when you listen to music is that of the CD's artwork.This sentence is useful for discussing the imagery associated with the act of using 音楽を聴く.Tatoeba #644264 by blay_paul, translation #644266 by blay_paul
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota暇な時は、何をしていますか？Hima na toki wa, nani o shite imasu ka?What do you do in your free time?
- 美咲 Misaki音楽を聴くのが好きです。Ongaku o kiku no ga suki desu.I like to listen to music.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。どんな音楽を聴きますか？Ii desu ne. Donna ongaku o kikimasu ka?That's nice. What kind of music do you listen to?
- 美咲 Misaki最近はジャズをよく聴いています。Saikin wa jazu o yoku kiite imasu.I have been listening to jazz a lot lately.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
