listen
vs
look and say

QUICK ANSWER

"Listen" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "escuchar", and "look and say" is a phrase which is often translated as "ver y decir". Learn more about the difference between "listen" and "look and say" below.

listen(

lihs

ihn

)

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

1. (to actively hear; often used with "to")

a. escuchar

Listen! I think someone's shouting your name.¡Escucha! Creo que alguien está gritando tu nombre.

2. (to pay attention; often used with "to")

a. escuchar

He failed the exam because he never listens in class.Falló el examen porque nunca escucha en clase.

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).

noun

3. (act of listening)

a. la oída

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

The band's new album deserves a listen.El álbum nuevo del grupo se merece una oída.

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

4. (imperative; used to address one person)

a. escucha

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).

(singular)

Listen! I'm talking to you.¡Escucha! Te estoy hablando a ti.

b. escuche

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).

(singular)

Pay attention and listen; this is important.Preste atención y escuche; esto es importante.

5. (imperative; used to address multiple people)

a. escuchen

Listen! I'm not going to repeat this explanation.¡Escuchen! No voy a repetir esta explicación.

look and say(

look

ahnd

sey

)

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

1. (general)

a. ver y decir

Did you see the bruise on her arm? - I looked and said it didn't seem serious. It'll be OK.¿Viste el moretón en su brazo? - Lo miré y dije que no parece grave. Va a estar bien.

b. mirar y decir

Did you show her the new clothes? - She looked and said she loved them all.¿Le enseñaste la ropa nueva? - La miró y dijo que le gustaba todo.

2. (imperative)

a. mira y di

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

(singular)

Look and say the word out loud again.Mira y di la palabra en voz alta de nuevo.

b. ve y di

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

(singular)