escuchas
“escuchas” means “you listen” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you listen, you are listening
📝 In Action
¿Qué música escuchas cuando estudias?
A1What music do you listen to when you study?
Si no escuchas, no entenderás las instrucciones.
A2If you don't listen, you won't understand the instructions.
wiretaps, eavesdropping operations
Also: bugs
📝 In Action
Las escuchas telefónicas confirmaron las sospechas del fiscal.
B2The wiretaps confirmed the prosecutor's suspicions.
El escándalo involucró escuchas ilegales a periodistas.
C1The scandal involved illegal eavesdropping on journalists.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: escuchas
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'escuchas' is used in the sentence: 'Las autoridades negaron haber realizado escuchas'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *auscultāre*, meaning 'to listen attentively,' which is also the root for the English word 'auscultate' (to listen to body sounds).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'escuchas' and 'oído'?
'Escuchas' is the verb form 'you listen' (active attention). 'Oído' is the past participle of 'oír' (to hear passively), or the noun meaning 'ear.' If you hear something without intending to, you use a form of 'oír'; if you pay attention, you use 'escuchar'.
Why does 'escuchas' have two completely different meanings?
The two meanings are related! Both come from the verb 'escuchar' (to listen). The first meaning is the conjugated verb ('you listen'). The second meaning (wiretaps) is the plural noun derived from the act of listening, specifically in a context of surveillance or monitoring.