How to Say ‘Listen carefully to your teacher.’ in Japanese
先生の話をよく聞いてね。
sensei no hanashi o yoku kii te ne
[sen-SAY no ha-NA-shi oh yoh-koo kee-ee te ne]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a classic line Japanese parents say as children leave for school. Respecting what the teacher says is strongly emphasized.
Phrase Breakdown
先生の話を
sensei no hanashi o
to the teacher's talk
先生 (sensei) means 'teacher'. の marks possession, 話 (hanashi) means 'talk' or 'what someone says', and を marks the object. Say it 'sensei no hanashi wo', with を pronounced 'o'.
先生の話を聞きます。
I listen to the teacher.
Words in this phrase
先生
sensei
[sen-SAY]
teacher
Title for teachers, doctors, and experts; can be used playfully for someone teaching you.
先生、質問があります。
Teacher, I have a question.
の
no
[no]
's; of
A particle that shows possession or connection between nouns.
知り合いの会社に興味があります。
I am interested in an acquaintance's company.
話
hanashi
[ha-NA-shi]
talk; what someone says
Noun for speech, a story, or what someone is saying.
お母さんの話を聞いて。
Listen to what Mom says.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
よく聞いてね。
yoku kii te ne
listen carefully, okay?
よく means 'carefully'. 聞いて is a gentle request form of 'listen', and ね makes it friendly.
話をよく聞いてね。
Listen carefully to what I say, okay?
Words in this phrase
よく
yoku
[yoh-koo]
well
To a high degree; thoroughly.
よくできました。
Well done.
聞い
kii
[kee-ee]
listen; hear
From 聞く, meaning to listen to someone or hear something.
少し聞いてほしい。
I want you to listen for a bit.
て
te
[te]
and; please do
The て-form ending that connects a verb to the next part, often for requests.
イベントの後で少し話してください。
Please talk with me a little after the event.
ね
ne
[ne]
isn't it; right
Sentence-ending particle that seeks agreement or adds friendliness.
今日は暑いですね。
It's hot today, isn't it?
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