聞く

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 音楽を聞きます。▶ —
   I listen to music.
2. 先生に聞いてください。▶ —
   Please ask the teacher.

Collocations

Mnemonic

きく — 聞く, Yamato. A godan verb. The kanji 聞 is a meaning-compound: an ear (耳) tucked inside a gate (門) — an ear pressed against the door. That image splits into two meanings in Japanese — ① to listen: 音楽を聞く (listen to music). ② to ask: 先生に聞く (ask the teacher). Where English (and Korean) keep "listen" and "ask" apart, Japanese lets one verb hold both. An ear at the gate can stay still and listen — or press in and inquire. The intransitive pair: 聞こえる kikoeru ("to be audible").

Quick check

1. How do you say "I asked the teacher for directions" naturally in Japanese?

   • 先生に道を聞きました (natural, kiku as "ask")
   • 先生に道を質問しました (formal, slightly stiff)
   • 先生に道を問いました (literary)
   • 先生から道を聞きました (= "heard from teacher")