godan verb (-su), transitive verb
listen attentively; listen carefully
Implies focusing one's hearing intently, often to catch faint or distant sounds. Used in literary or descriptive contexts.
彼は耳を澄まして遠くの波の音を聞き澄ました。
He listened attentively to the distant sound of the waves.
夜の静けさの中で、虫の声を聞き澄ますのが好きだ。
I like to listen carefully to the insects' chirping in the quiet of the night.