Japanese Word of the Day
聞く
ki-KU • verb — 17th of Jun, 2026
Listen to pronunciation
Meaning: to listen; to hear; to ask (a question)
Examples
- 先生に聞いてください。
(Please ask the teacher.) - 音楽を聞くのが好きです。
(I like listening to music.) - 彼の話をよく聞いてください。
(Please listen carefully to his story.)
Synonyms
Click a synonym to see how it compares to 聞く.
聞く is a versatile verb used both for hearing/listening and for asking questions. Use 聴く when emphasizing active, careful listening (often for music or broadcasts). Use 尋ねる when you mean 'to inquire' or 'to ask' more formally. To ask someone a question, say [person]に聞く (e.g., 友達に聞く).
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