聞く vs 聴く
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 聞く
Listen to 聴く
| 聞く | 聴く |
|---|---|
ki-KU verb | きく (kiku) verb |
| to listen; to hear; to ask (a question) | to listen attentively; to listen with concentration (often to music, lectures, or broadcasts) |
How they differ
聴く emphasizes intentional, focused listening (active reception), while 聞く is a broader verb that can mean simply to hear, to listen casually, or to ask; 聴く is used when the act of listening is deliberate and attentive.
When to use each
When to use 聞く: Prefer 聞く for general senses of hearing, casual listening, or when also meaning 'ask' in everyday conversation.
When to use 聴く: Prefer 聴く when you want to stress attentive listening (e.g., listening to music, a lecture, or a performance).
Side-by-side examples
- 音楽を聞くのが好きです。
(I like listening to music.) - 彼の演奏をじっくり聴いた。
(I listened carefully to his performance.)
Register & nuance: 聴く is neutral but more specific and slightly more common in written or specialized contexts (music, audio, academic listening) than the general 聞く.