oigan
/OY-gahn/
Listen!
¡Oigan! (Listen!) is an interjection used to demand the attention of a group.
oigan(Interjection)
Listen!
?To demand attention from a group
,Hey!
?To interrupt or call out
Excuse me
?Used to gain an audience's ear
📝 In Action
¡Oigan! Necesito su ayuda con este proyecto.
A2Listen! I need your help with this project (addressing a group).
Oigan, ¿quién dejó la luz encendida?
A2Hey, who left the light on?
Oigan bien lo que voy a decir.
B1Listen closely to what I'm going to say.
💡 Grammar Points
A Command for 'You All'
This word is a command telling a group of people ('ustedes' or 'you all') to listen. It is taken from a special verb form (the subjunctive) often used for wishes and commands.
Formal Plural Command
When giving a command to a group using the 'ustedes' form, Spanish uses the form that normally goes with 'ellos/ellas' in the present subjunctive. In this case, it's the command form of the verb oír (to hear).
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Attention Getter
Use '¡Oigan!' just like 'Hey!' in English when you need to quickly interrupt or get the focus of everyone in the room.
As a verb in the third person plural present subjunctive, oigan means '(that) they hear,' focusing on the act of listening performed by a group.
oigan(Verb)
(that) they hear
?Present Subjunctive, third person plural
,(that) you all hear
?Present Subjunctive, formal second person plural (ustedes)
(that) they listen
?Figurative meaning
📝 In Action
Espero que mis amigos oigan mi mensaje a tiempo.
B1I hope that my friends hear my message in time.
El jefe pide que ustedes oigan atentamente las instrucciones.
B2The boss asks that you all listen carefully to the instructions.
Me preocupa que no oigan lo que les digo.
B2It worries me that they don't hear what I'm telling them.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Special Subjunctive Form
'Oigan' is used when the sentence starts with a feeling (like hope, doubt, or fear) that one person has about what a group of people hears. This triggers the subjunctive mood.
Irregularity Alert
The stem changes from 'oí-' to 'oig-' in all present subjunctive forms (oiga, oigas, oigamos, oigan). Always remember to include the 'g' when talking about wishes or doubts!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subjunctive/Indicative
Mistake: "Using 'Espero que ellos oyen' (using the indicative verb form) when expressing hope."
Correction: When expressing hope or a requirement, Spanish needs the subjunctive form: 'Espero que ellos oigan.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oigan
Question 1 of 1
If you are trying to interrupt a formal meeting to share important news, which usage of 'oigan' applies?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'oigan' and 'escuchen'?
Both mean 'listen' or 'hear' (plural command form). 'Oigan' (from oír) generally means 'to perceive sound,' while 'escuchen' (from escuchar) means 'to pay close attention' or 'listen actively.' They are often interchangeable when used as a quick attention-getter, but 'escuchen' is slightly stronger.
Is 'oigan' formal or informal?
'Oigan' is the command form for 'ustedes' (you all), which is the standard plural address across Latin America, regardless of formality. If you are in Spain addressing friends, the informal plural command is 'oíd.'