Confusing Hearing vs. Listening

This word, 'oyen,' means 'they hear' or 'you all (formal) hear.' It describes what a group is doing right now.

It's the 'They' form

The base verb 'oír' is irregular. Notice how the 'i' changes to a 'y' when it comes between two vowels, like in 'o-y-en' or 'o-y-endo.' This keeps the sound flowing smoothly.

The 'Y' Irregularity

In the past tense (Preterite), 'oír' uses accent marks to separate the vowels (oí, oímos, oímos). But in the present tense 'oyen', the 'y' acts as a consonant, so no accent is needed.

The Accent Mark

Extremely common. This is the form used when talking about groups of people perceiving sound right now.

'Oyen' is the third-person plural conjugation of the irregular verb 'oír' (to hear), meaning 'they hear' or 'you all (formal) hear.' Learn its full conjugation and when to use it versus 'escuchar.'

oyen

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

imperative

affirmative

negative

subjunctive

imperfect

present

indicative

conditional

preterite

imperfect

present

future

Practice Conjugations