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"Oyente" is a noun which is often translated as "listener", and "sordo" is an adjective which is often translated as "deaf". Learn more about the difference between "oyente" and "sordo" below.
el oyente, la oyente(
oh
-
yehn
-
teh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (audience)
a. listener
Y ahorita damos paso a nuestros oyentes para que cuenten sus anécdotas.And now, it's over to our listeners to tell their stories.
2. (student)
a. auditor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Si vas a clase como oyente, no tienes que pagar nada.If you attend classes as an auditor, you don't have to pay anything.
b. auditing student (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Acudí a un par de clases en la universidad como oyente.I went to a couple of classes at the university as an auditing student.
c. unregistered student
Al ser oyente, no podía tomar el examen.As I was an unregistered student, I couldn't take the exam.
d. occasional student
Fui a clase como oyente para ver de qué se trataba la asignatura.I attended class as an occasional student to find out what the subject was about.
sordo(
sohr
-
doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. deaf
Louis aprendió el lenguaje de señas porque es sordo.Louis learned sign language because he is deaf.
b. hearing-impaired
Hay una nueva exposición para niños sordos en el museo.There is a new exhibition for hearing-impaired children at the museum.
2. (muted)
3. (not sharp)
a. dull
Intentar estudiar con un dolor sordo es insoportable.Trying to study with a dull pain is unbearable.
a. voiceless
Las cuerdas vocales no vibran al pronunciar un sonido sordo.Your vocal cords do not vibrate when you utter a voiceless sound.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (person)
b. deaf (collectively)
Hay una universidad para los sordos en Washington, D.C.There is a university for the deaf in Washington, D.C.
