écoute
/e.kut/feminine
The English word 'listening' is translated into French as écoute.
The noun écoute refers to the act of listening. For example, you can use the phrase une écoute attentive to describe attentive listening or listening carefully.
Meaning: act by which something or somebody is listened to (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun écoute is derived from the verb écouter, which means 'to listen'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word écoute is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.kut/
Did you know?
- The French word écoute is an unexpected relative of the English word 'scout'. Both terms share a common ancestor in the Old Norse word skaut, which referred to a corner of a garment or a fold of cloth.
- In a modern technological context, the term écoute is frequently used by French authorities to refer to 'wiretapping' or 'electronic eavesdropping'.
- The phrase à l'écoute is used not just for listening, but to say that a person or service is available and ready to help.
Examples in context
- Tu n'écoutes pas !You're not listening!This sentence is useful for showing how to use écoute in a negative statement.Tatoeba #1638973 by sacredceltic, translation #1635833 by Spamster
- Je ne t'écoute pas.I'm not listening to you.This sentence demonstrates how to use écoute when the object of listening is 'you'.Tatoeba #9163140 by Julien_PDC, translation #2361889 by CK
- Tu ne m'écoutes pas.You're not listening to me.This sentence demonstrates how to use écoute when the object of listening is 'me'.Tatoeba #1845720 by sacredceltic, translation #1841499 by CK
- Veuillez écouter attentivement.Please listen carefully
- J'écoute.I am listening.
- Il est toujours prêt à prêter l'oreille.He is always ready to listen
- J'ai tendu l'oreille pour écouter leur conversation.I strained my ear to listen to their conversation
- Écoute attentivement, c'est important.Listen carefully, it's important.
- J'adore t'écouter.I love listening to you.
- Il a toujours été là pour me prêter l'oreille .He has always been there to lend me an ear.
- Tends l'oreille si tu veux comprendre.Strain your ear if you want to understand.
- J'ai écouté le podcast en français. C'était très intéressant.I listened to the French podcast. It was very interesting.
- 218 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are in a music class.
- GabrielL'écoute est importante pour apprendre.Listening is important for learning.
- EmmaJe suis d'accord avec toi, Gabriel.I agree with you, Gabriel.
- GabrielOn commence l'écoute maintenant ?Shall we start the listening now?
- EmmaOui, je suis prête, Emma.Yes, I am ready, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listening” translations and entries écoute, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries écoute, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
