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"Hear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "oír", and "listen" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "escuchar". Learn more about the difference between "hear" and "listen" below.
hear(
hihr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. oír
I could hear the professor perfectly from the back of the room.Pude oír al profesor perfectamente desde el fondo de la sala.
b. escuchar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The music is very loud, and I can't hear what you're saying.La música está muy alta y no escucho lo que dices.
a. oír
From what I have heard, we are all going to be laid off.Por lo que he oído, nos van a despedir a todos.
4. (legal)
a. ver
The Supreme Court will begin hearing the case next month.La Corte Suprema comenzará a ver el caso el mes que viene.
5. (religion)
a. oír
Every Sunday, we see Catholics go to the church in our neighborhood to hear Mass.Cada domingo, vemos a los católicos ir a la iglesia del barrio a oír misa.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. tener noticias de
I have not heard from my son in weeks.No he tenido noticias de mi hijo desde hace semanas.
b. enterarse de
I heard about your husband's promotion. Congratulations!Me enteré del ascenso de tu marido. ¡Enhorabuena!
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
listen(
lihs
-
ihn
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. escucha (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Listen! I'm talking to you.¡Escucha! Te estoy hablando a ti.
b. escuche (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Pay attention and listen; this is important.Preste atención y escuche; esto es importante.
a. escuchen
Listen! I'm not going to repeat this explanation.¡Escuchen! No voy a repetir esta explicación.
