How do you say "Listen" in Japanese?

"Listen" in Japanese is "聞いて". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

👂

How to Say ‘Listen’ in Japanese

Q: What does "聞いて" mean in English?

"聞いて" means "Listen" in English. Usage tip: [聞いて] is the [て]-form of [聞く]. It can mean “listen!” or “hear me out!” depending on tone.

聞いて

kii te

[kii te]

💬 Usage Tip: [聞いて] is the [て]-form of [聞く]. It can mean “listen!” or “hear me out!” depending on tone.

🇯🇵 In Japan: You’ll hear [聞いて] a lot in daily conversation when someone wants your attention before telling a story or complaint.

Phrase Breakdown

聞い

kii

[kii]

listen

This is the stem of 聞いて, from 聞く, meaning to listen or hear.

Example

よく聞いてください。

Please listen carefully.

て

[te]

and; do it

This hiragana is part of the te-form ending here, helping make 聞いて.

Example

聞いてください。

Please listen.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager