Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to hear" in Korean: 듣다
듣다deutda
to hear in Korean is 듣다 (deutda). 듣다 is ㄷ-irregular: the ㄷ changes to ㄹ before a vowel in 들어요 and 들었어요.
to hear: an everyday statement
밖에서 나는 소리를 들어요.bakkeseo naneun sorireul deureoyo.
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How to pronounce 듣다
Say it
deutda
/tɯt̚t͈a/
Read 듣다 as deutda. The spoken form 들어요 is deureoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to hear" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 듣다deutda | to hear Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 들어요deureoyo | to hear (polite present) Use 들어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 들어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 들었어요deureosseoyo | to hear (polite past) Use 들었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 들었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 듣다 in real life
- 1to hear: an everyday statement
밖에서 나는 소리를 들어요.
bakkeseo naneun sorireul deureoyo.
I hear the sound coming from outside.
들어요 is the present form of 듣다.
- 2to hear: a different situation
어제 그 소식을 들었어요.
eoje geu sosigeul deureosseoyo.
I heard that news yesterday.
들었어요 is the past form of 듣다.
- 3to hear: a question or request
이 소리를 들어요?
i sorireul deureoyo?
Do you hear this sound?
들어요 is the present form of 듣다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 듣다
Incorrect: 듣다.
Correct: 들어요.
When practicing to hear, 듣다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 들어요.
Incorrect: 어제 들어요.
Correct: 어제 들었어요.
When practicing to hear, for a completed event yesterday, use 들었어요; the present form 들어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
듣다 is ㄷ-irregular: the ㄷ changes to ㄹ before a vowel in 들어요 and 들었어요. 들어요 is the polite conversational form of 듣다; 들었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 듣다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
밖에서 나는 소리를 들어요.
bakkeseo naneun sorireul deureoyo.
I hear the sound coming from outside.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 그 소식을 들었어요.
eoje geu sosigeul deureosseoyo.
I heard that news yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to hear" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to hear" in Korean
How do I use 듣다 in polite speech?
들어요 is the polite conversational form of 듣다; 들었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 듣다 in a past-tense sentence?
들었어요 is the polite past form. 듣다 is ㄷ-irregular: the ㄷ changes to ㄹ before a vowel in 들어요 and 들었어요.
What does 들어요 mean here?
들어요 is used for to hear. For example, 밖에서 나는 소리를 들어요. means “I hear the sound coming from outside.”
What should I remember about 듣다?
듣다 is ㄷ-irregular: the ㄷ changes to ㄹ before a vowel in 들어요 and 들었어요.
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