escuche
ess-KOO-chay
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Escuche atentamente lo que le digo, por favor.
A2Listen carefully to what I am telling you, please.
No creo que mi hermana escuche ese tipo de música.
B1I don't think my sister listens to that kind of music.
¿Qué quiere usted que yo escuche?
B1What do you want me to listen to?
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Commands
The form 'escuche' is the polite, single-person instruction for 'usted' (the formal 'you'). It is the most common way you will use this word to tell someone to listen.
Expressing Wishes and Doubts
'Escuche' is also a special verb form (the Subjunctive) used in the second part of a sentence when the first part expresses desire, doubt, emotion, or necessity (e.g., 'Es importante que escuche...').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the Commands
Mistake: "Tú, escuche mi voz."
Correction: Tú, escucha mi voz. (Use 'escucha' for informal commands, or 'escuche' for formal commands to 'usted').
⭐ Usage Tips
Listen vs. Hear
Remember that 'escuchar' (from which 'escuche' comes) means 'to listen actively,' focusing attention. If you just mean 'to hear' passively, use a form of the verb 'oír'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: escuche
Question 1 of 2
Which of the following phrases correctly uses 'escuche' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'escuche' end in -e when the base verb 'escuchar' ends in -ar?
This is a key pattern in Spanish! When you form a formal command (for 'usted') or use the special Subjunctive verb form, '-ar' verbs change their ending to '-e' instead of '-a'. This change signals that the sentence is expressing a command, wish, or uncertainty.
Can I use 'escuche' to refer to myself?
Yes, you can! 'Escuche' is the verb form used for 'yo' (I) when using the special Subjunctive form, which usually follows phrases of doubt or desire, such as 'Es posible que yo escuche' (It is possible that I listen).