よく聞いて
yoku kiite
To say "listen up" in Japanese, use よく聞いて (yoku kiite).
Meaning: Translations (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of yoku (well/carefully) and the te-form of kiku (to listen/hear).
Which one should you use?
Use よく聞いてください to be more polite, or よく聞け to create a harsh, commanding "listen up!" often used by superiors or in anime.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version suitable for a classroom or professional setting, use よく聞いてください. If you are among friends, you can use 聞いてよ or ちゃんと聞いて to emphasize listening attentively. For formal situations, use お聞きください.
How does it change in a sentence?
The te-form kiite is used here to issue a soft command or request, which is the standard way to give instructions in casual Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku kiite
Did you know?
- The verb kiku is a homophone that can mean 'to listen' or 'to be effective'. If a doctor says yoku kiite using a different kanji, they are telling you the medicine is working well.
- In many social settings, rather than using a phrase like 'listen up', Japanese speakers use the polite 'sumimasen' (excuse me) to signal a transition to a new topic and grab a group's attention.
- Japanese speakers frequently use non-verbal sound effects like sssh or ei to grab attention before they actually say a phrase like yoku kiite.
Examples in context
- 聞いてください！これから重要な発表があります。Please listen up! We have an important announcement coming up.
- お聞きください！次のアイデアについてお話しします。Please listen up! I will now talk about the next idea.
- 聞いてよ！明日、一緒に遊びに行こうよ。Listen up! Let's hang out together tomorrow.
- ちゃんと聞いて！今から計画を話すよ。Listen up! I'm going to discuss the plan starting now.
- これから言うことをよく聞いて。Kore kara iu koto o yoku kiite.Listen up to what I am about to say.
- 注意点をよく聞いておいて。Chuuiten o yoku kiite oite.Listen up to the points of caution.
Example conversation
Misaki is giving instructions to Youta before they start a game.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、ルールをよく聞いて。Youta, ruuru o yoku kiite.Youta, listen up to the rules.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった、準備はできているよ。Wakatta, junbi wa dekite iru yo.Understood, I am ready.
- 美咲 Misaki次は、このカードを出すの。Tsugi wa, kono kaado o dasu no.Next, you play this card.
- 陽太 Yotaなるほど、理解したよ。Naruhodo, rikai shita yo.I see, I understood.
