聞く
聞く · godan verb (-ku)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 聞く | 聞かない |
| Polite | 聞きます | 聞きません |
| Past polite | 聞きました | 聞きませんでした |
| Past | 聞いた | 聞かなかった |
| Te-form | 聞いて | 聞かないで |
| Desire | 聞きたい | 聞きたくない |
| Potential | 聞ける | 聞けない |
| Passive | 聞かれる | 聞かれない |
| Causative | 聞かせる | 聞かせない |
| Causative passive | 聞かせられるalso 聞かされる | 聞かせられないalso 聞かされない |
| Volitional | 聞こう | |
| Polite volitional | 聞きましょう | |
| Imperative | 聞け | 聞くな |
| Conditional | 聞けば | 聞かなければ |
| Tara conditional | 聞いたら | 聞かなかったら |
Meanings
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Passive or unintentional perception of sound. Often used with が to mark the sound heard.
I heard a strange noise from the next room.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Only when written 聴く
Active, intentional listening, especially to music, radio, or a speaker. 聴く is preferred for this sense.
I listen to the news on the radio every morning.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Asking a question or making an inquiry. Often used with に for the person asked and を for the thing asked.
I asked for directions at the station.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Receiving information indirectly, often through rumors or reports. Commonly used with ~と聞く or ~を聞く.
I heard that he got married.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Acting in accordance with advice, orders, or requests. Often used with 言うことを聞く or 忠告を聞く.
Listen to what your parents say.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Formal or considerate reception of a plea, request, or argument. Often used in contexts like 願いを聞く or 言い分を聞く.
The president listened to our proposal.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Specialized use for appreciating incense or fragrance, as in 香を聞く. Not used for general smelling.
See also: 香を聞く
I learned the etiquette of appreciating incense in the tea room.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Rare, specialized use for tasting alcohol. Also written 利く. Not used for general tasting.
To taste the flavor of sake.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の音を聞くto hear the sound of something
I heard the sound of the car's engine.
- 音楽を聞くto listen to music
I often listen to music at night.
- 〈人〉に〈事〉を聞くto ask someone about something
I asked the teacher about the test range.
- 〜と聞くto hear that ...
I heard that he's moving next month.
- 言うことを聞くto do as one is told; to obey
Children should do as their parents say.
- 願いを聞くto grant a wish or request
I granted her wish.