oigan
“oigan” means “Listen!” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
Listen!, Hey!Also: Excuse me
📝 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.
Word Connections
(that) they hear, (that) you all hearAlso: (that) they listen
📝 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.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ 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
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Old Spanish *oír*, which descends from the Latin verb *audīre*, meaning 'to hear.' The 'g' insertion in forms like 'oigan' is a common linguistic pattern in Spanish irregular verbs that helps maintain a distinct sound across different tenses.
First recorded: Pre-10th century (as *oír* derivatives)
Cognates (Related words)
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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.'