escucharon
es-koo-CHA-ron
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ellos escucharon la noticia en la radio.
A1They listened to the news on the radio.
¿Ustedes escucharon ese ruido anoche?
A2Did you all hear that noise last night?
Mis padres me escucharon atentamente cuando conté el problema.
B1My parents listened to me attentively when I told the problem.
💡 Grammar Points
Action Finished in the Past
This form ('escucharon') is the simple past (preterite), meaning the listening or hearing action started and finished at a specific point in the past.
Who Did the Action?
This ending is used when the action was done by 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preterite vs. Imperfect
Mistake: "Using 'escuchaban' when the action was a single, completed event."
Correction: Use 'escucharon' for a single event ('They listened to the song once'). Use 'escuchaban' for habitual past actions or background details ('They used to listen to the radio every morning').
⭐ Usage Tips
Listen vs. Hear
'Escuchar' usually implies active listening (paying attention), but it can sometimes mean simply 'to hear,' especially when asking about sudden noises, just like in English.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
subjunctive
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: escucharon
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'escucharon'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'escucharon' means 'they listened' or 'you all listened'?
You usually know from the context. If the speaker is addressing the group directly, it means 'you all' (ustedes). If the speaker is talking about a third party, it means 'they' (ellos/ellas). For example, if someone says 'Ustedes, ¿escucharon...?' it's clear they mean 'you all'.
Is 'escucharon' the same as 'oían'?
No. 'Escucharon' is the simple past (preterite) for a finished action ('They listened to the announcement once'). 'Oían' is the descriptive past (imperfect) for a continuous action ('They used to hear the noise constantly') and comes from the verb 'oír' (to hear).