聴く
kikuTo hear or pay attention to sounds or speech
音楽を聴く
To listen to music
彼の意見を聴く
To listen to his opinion
Often used to indicate active listening rather than passive hearing.
To obey or follow instructions
上司の指示を聴く
To follow the boss's instructions
In formal or professional contexts, this can imply compliance.
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💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Use '聴く' in formal settings like lectures or professional advice, while '聞く' is more casual.
⚡Gold Rule
Active Listening
'聴く' implies active engagement, not just passive hearing.
📖Word Origin
From Old Japanese 'kiku', meaning 'to hear' or 'to listen'. The kanji 聴 is derived from Chinese and emphasizes the act of listening attentively.
📝Usage Notes
While '聞く' and '聴く' are often interchangeable, '聴く' is more commonly used in formal or professional contexts, such as listening to a lecture or following instructions.