Translation and Meaning of: 聞く - kiku

The Japanese word 聞く[きく] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. Its main meaning is "to hear" or "to listen," but it can also be translated as "to ask" in certain contexts. In this article, we will explore everything from the basics to cultural details that make this word so interesting. You will understand how to use it correctly, its origin, and even tips for memorizing it easily.

In addition to being one of the most frequent words in everyday Japanese, 聞く has nuances that reflect aspects of communication in Japan. Whether in informal conversations or more formal situations, knowing when and how to use it makes all the difference. Let's dive into these details and discover why it is so important for students and curious minds of the Japanese language.

Meaning and usage of 聞く

The verb 聞く can be translated in two main ways: "to listen" and "to ask". The difference between these meanings depends on the context of the sentence. When used in the sense of "to listen", it generally refers to the action of hearing something, like music or a conversation. For example, 音楽を聞く means "to listen to music". In the sense of "to ask", it appears in situations like 道を聞く ("to ask for directions").

An interesting fact is that, although 聞く and 聴く (also read as きく) share the same pronunciation, the latter is used specifically to listen attentively, such as in concerts or lectures. This subtle distinction shows how the Japanese language values details in communication. To avoid confusion, it's good to pay attention to the kanji used in each situation.

Origin and components of kanji

The kanji 聞 is composed of two main elements: the radical 耳 (ear) and the part 門 (gate). This combination suggests the idea of "hearing what is on the other side of the gate," which makes perfect sense considering its meaning. The radical 耳 appears in several other words related to hearing, such as 耳自体 (ear itself) and 耳鳴り (tinnitus).

According to the etymological dictionary 漢字源, the character 聞 originated in ancient China and was adapted into Japanese with the same basic meaning. Over the centuries, its use has expanded to include not only physical hearing but also the notion of "asking" – perhaps by the idea of "opening the ears" to gain information. This semantic evolution is a fascinating example of how kanjis carry history within their structure.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember the meaning of 聞く is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, think about when you ask someone about a restaurant – you are literally "hearing" the answer. This connection between listening and obtaining information can help cement the double meaning of the word. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences like 名前を聞く ("ask for a name") or ラジオを聞く ("listen to the radio").

It is worth noting that 聞く should not be confused with 訊く (which specifically means "to ask") – although the latter is less common in everyday use. In formal situations, Japanese people tend to use 伺う (うかがう) as a polite way to say "to ask." Knowing these variations demonstrates a more advanced mastery of the language and helps avoid misunderstandings in real conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 聴く (kiku) - Listen (with attention, like music or lectures)
• 聞き取る (kikitoru) - Listen and understand (capture specific information)
• 聞こえる (kikoeru) - Being heard (the ability to hear something, usually involuntary)
• 聞き返す (kikikaesu) - Repeat a question (listen and ask again to understand)
• 聞き分ける (kikiwakeru) - Distinguish sounds (the ability to differentiate between different sounds or voices)

聞く

Romaji: kiku
Kana: きく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: hear; listen; ask

Meaning in English: to hear;to listen;to ask

Definition: Listen and understand the speech and sounds of other people.

Example Sentences - (聞く) kiku

See below some example sentences:

忠告を聞くことは大切です。

Chuukoku wo kiku koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to hear advice.

It is important to hear the advice.

• 忠告 - advice
• を - object particle
• 聞く - to hear
• こと - action noun
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

衆の意見を聞くべきだ。

Shuu no iken wo kiku beki da

You must listen to the opinions of the people.

• 衆 - It means "crowd" or "audience"
• の - possessive particle, indicating that the following word belongs to the crowd
• 意見 - means "opinion" or "point of view"
• を - object particle, indicating that the previous word is the object of the action
• 聞く - verb that means "to hear" or "to listen"
• べき - Suffix indicating obligation or duty
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense

驚きのニュースを聞いた。

Kyōki no nyūsu o kiita

I heard surprising news.

I heard surprising news.

• 驚きの - surprising
• ニュース - news
• を - direct object particle
• 聞いた - you heard

訴えを聞いてください。

Sue wo kiite kudasai

Please listen to my complaint.

Please listen to the appeal.

• 訴え - noun that means "complaint" or "accusation".
• を - particle that indicates the object of the sentence.
• 聞いて - The verb 聞く (kiku) in the gerund form, which means "to hear".
• ください - verb くださる (kudasaru) in the imperative, which means "please".

話を聞いてください。

Hanashi wo kiite kudasai

Please listen to what I have to say.

Please listen to the story.

• 話 - means "conversation" or "story" in Japanese.
• を - It is a particle of the object in Japanese, indicating that "話" is the object of the sentence.
• 聞いて - It is the imperative form of the verb "聞く" (kiku), which means "to hear" or "to listen."
• ください - it is a polite way of asking in Japanese, equivalent to "please".

私はあなたの話を聞きたいです。

Watashi wa anata no hanashi o kikitai desu

I want to hear your story.

I want to hear your story.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - It means "you" in Japanese.
• の (no) - possessive particle in Japanese, used to indicate that something belongs to someone
• 話 (hanashi) - means "story" or "conversation" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 聞きたい (kikitai) - conjugated form of the verb "kiku", which means "to hear" or "to listen", in the present tense and with the desire to do the action
• です (desu) - polite form of "to be" in Japanese, used to end a sentence