oír
“oír” means “to hear” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to hear
Also: to overhear
📝 In Action
¿Puedes oír la música desde aquí?
A1Can you hear the music from here?
No oigo nada, el viento es muy fuerte.
A1I don't hear anything, the wind is very strong.
Oímos un ruido extraño en la noche.
A2We heard a strange noise during the night.
to listen to, to judge
Also: to pay attention
📝 In Action
El presidente debe oír las quejas de la gente.
B1The president must listen to (heed) the people's complaints.
Mi jefe nunca me oye cuando propongo ideas nuevas.
B2My boss never listens to me when I propose new ideas.
El juez oirá el caso mañana por la mañana.
C1The judge will hear (judge) the case tomorrow morning.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: oír
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'oír' to mean 'to perceive sound'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *audīre*, which meant 'to hear' or 'to listen'. Over centuries, the 'd' sound disappeared, leaving the two vowels 'o' and 'í' next to each other, which is why it has such a distinct, irregular conjugation today.
First recorded: Around the 10th century (Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'oír' sometimes have an accent on the 'i' and sometimes not?
The accent on the 'i' (oír) is essential to keep the 'o' and 'i' as two separate syllables (o-ír), which is how we pronounce it. Without the accent, Spanish rules would try to blend them into one sound. The accent tells you to stress the 'i' and keep the sounds distinct.
How do I know when to use 'oír' versus 'escuchar'?
Use 'oír' (to hear) for accidental or passive perception—you can't help but hear a loud truck. Use 'escuchar' (to listen) for active attention—you choose to listen to a friend or the radio.