por favor escucha
/poɾ faboɾ eskut͡ʃa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "please listen" is translated into Spanish as por favor escucha.
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to pay attention to what is being said. If you want to capture someone's attention specifically to get them to listen, you might also use disculpe to mean "excuse me".
Which one should you use?
The word escucha on its own can function as a direct command for "listen", but adding por favor softens the tone into a polite request. While por favor escucha is used for individuals, por favor escuchen is used when addressing a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address multiple people at once, use the plural form por favor escuchen.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ faboɾ eskutʃa/
Did you know?
- The verb escuchar is distinct from oír. While oír refers to the physical ability to hear a sound, escuchar implies a conscious effort to pay attention.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a request for attention like por favor escucha may be accompanied by a light touch on the arm or shoulder to establish a personal connection.
- The word favor shares its roots with the English word 'favored', both tracing back to the Latin 'faveo' which means to be favorable or kind to.
Examples in context
- Por favor escucha.Please listen.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the phrase por favor escucha.Tatoeba #5048101 by don_ramon, translation #2111572 by CK
- Por favor, escuche lo que tengo que decir.Please listen to what I have to say
- Le ruego que me escuche atentamente.I beg you to listen to me attentively
- Oye, por favor, presta atención a lo que digo.Listen, please pay attention to what I'm saying
- Por favor escucha mi historia.Please listen to my story.
- Por favor escucha con atención.Please listen carefully.
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to tell Elena some important news.
- MateoElena, por favor escucha lo que tengo que decirte.Elena, please listen to what I have to tell you.
- ElenaEstá bien, Mateo, te escucho.Okay, Mateo, I'm listening.
- MateoEs una noticia muy importante.It is very important news.
- ElenaDime, estoy atenta.Tell me, I am paying attention.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escucha, favor, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
