escuchas
/es-KOO-chas/
you listen
Escuchas (you listen) refers to the informal singular action of paying attention to sounds.
escuchas(verb)
you listen
?informal singular (tú)
,you are listening
?informal singular (tú)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Action vs. Hearing
Remember that 'escuchar' means to listen actively (like paying attention to music), while 'oír' means to hear passively (like a sudden noise).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'tú' and 'usted'
Mistake: "Using 'escuchas' when talking to a boss or elder."
Correction: Use 'escucha' (the usted form) for formal situations or when addressing multiple people (ustedes).
⭐ Usage Tips
No Preposition Needed
Unlike English ('listen to the music'), Spanish doesn't need a preposition: simply say 'escucho la música'.
Escuchas (wiretaps) are devices used for secret surveillance and recording conversations.
escuchas(noun)
wiretaps
?surveillance
,eavesdropping operations
?covert listening
bugs
?listening devices
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Singular vs. Plural
The singular 'la escucha' (the listening/eavesdropping) is less common than the plural 'las escuchas' when referring to specific surveillance operations.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: "Saying 'los escuchas'."
Correction: The word is feminine: 'las escuchas' (the wiretaps). The masculine 'el escucha' usually means 'the listener' (person).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'escuchas' in a legal or political article, it almost certainly means 'wiretaps' or 'surveillance operations,' not the verb form 'you listen'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ 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
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.