Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to listen" in Korean: 듣다
듣다deutda
to listen in Korean is 듣다 (deutda). 듣다 can mean listen as well as hear; add 잘 or 주의 깊게 to emphasize attentive listening.
to listen: an everyday statement
음악을 들어요.eumageul 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 listen" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 듣다deutda | to listen Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 들어요deureoyo | to listen (polite present) Use 들어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 들어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 들었어요deureosseoyo | to listen (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 listen: an everyday statement
음악을 들어요.
eumageul deureoyo.
I listen to music.
들어요 is the present form of 듣다.
- 2to listen: a different situation
수업에서 설명을 들었어요.
sueobeseo seolmyeongeul deureosseoyo.
I listened to the explanation in class.
들었어요 is the past form of 듣다.
- 3to listen: a question or request
이 방송을 자주 들어요?
i bangsongeul jaju deureoyo?
Do you often listen to this broadcast?
들어요 is the present form of 듣다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 듣다
Incorrect: 듣다.
Correct: 들어요.
When practicing to listen, 듣다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 들어요.
Incorrect: 어제 들어요.
Correct: 어제 들었어요.
When practicing to listen, for a completed event yesterday, use 들었어요; the present form 들어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
듣다 can mean listen as well as hear; add 잘 or 주의 깊게 to emphasize attentive listening. 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
음악을 들어요.
eumageul deureoyo.
I listen to music.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
수업에서 설명을 들었어요.
sueobeseo seolmyeongeul deureosseoyo.
I listened to the explanation in class.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to listen" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to listen" 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 can mean listen as well as hear; add 잘 or 주의 깊게 to emphasize attentive listening.
What does 들어요 mean here?
들어요 is used for to listen. For example, 음악을 들어요. means “I listen to music.”
What should I remember about 듣다?
듣다 can mean listen as well as hear; add 잘 or 주의 깊게 to emphasize attentive listening.
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