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escuchar means to listen — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 20, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

escuchar

verb • /[es-koo-CHAR]/

to listen

Example:

¿Puedes escuchar esta canción?

Can you listen to this song?

🧠 What does escuchar mean?

The verb 'escuchar' means 'to listen' or 'to listen to'. It refers to the intentional act of paying attention to a sound, speech, or music. Unlike the verb 'oír' (to hear), which describes the passive perception of sound, 'escuchar' implies a conscious effort and focus on what is being heard.

📚 Extra examples

  • Me gusta escuchar música clásica para relajarme.
    I like to listen to classical music to relax.
  • El profesor pidió a los estudiantes que escucharan con atención.
    The teacher asked the students to listen carefully.
  • ¿Escuchaste lo que dijo el presidente en su discurso?
    Did you listen to what the president said in his speech?
  • Es importante escuchar ambos lados de la historia.
    It's important to listen to both sides of the story.

💡 Did You Know?

A key distinction for learners is between 'escuchar' (to listen) and 'oír' (to hear). 'Escuchar' is an active, intentional process, whereas 'oír' is the passive, physical ability to perceive sound. For example, 'Oí un ruido, pero no lo escuché bien' means 'I heard a noise, but I didn't listen to it well'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "escuchar"

Synonyms: atender, prestar atención
Opposites: ignorar, desoír

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to listen' in Spanish?
The most common and direct way to say 'to listen' in Spanish is 'escuchar'.
How do you pronounce 'escuchar' in Spanish?
'Escuchar' is pronounced es-coo-CHAR. The stress falls on the final syllable.
How do you use 'escuchar' in a sentence?
'Escuchar' is used to describe paying attention to a sound. For example: 'Escucho la radio por la mañana' (I listen to the radio in the morning). Note that in Spanish, a preposition like 'to' is not needed; you listen directly to the object.
What is the English translation of 'escuchar'?
The primary English translation of 'escuchar' is 'to listen' or 'to listen to'.
Does 'escuchar' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'escuchar' does not change for gender. It is conjugated to match the person and number of the subject (e.g., yo escucho, nosotros escuchamos) and the tense.
Is 'escuchar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'escuchar' is an extremely common and essential verb used daily in all Spanish-speaking regions.
Does 'escuchar' have slang or double meanings?
While its main meaning is 'to listen', it can also be used to mean 'to pay attention to' or 'to heed' advice. For instance, 'Escucha mis palabras' means 'Heed my words'. It does not generally have slang meanings.
Is 'escuchar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'escuchar' are consistent across Spain and Latin America, with no significant regional variations.
How do you conjugate 'escuchar' in Spanish?
'Escuchar' is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative tense, it is conjugated: yo escucho, tú escuchas, él/ella/usted escucha, nosotros/as escuchamos, vosotros/as escucháis, ellos/ellas/ustedes escuchan.

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