Inklingo

oigo

oh-ee-go/ˈoi̯.ɣo/

oigo means I hear in Spanish (Perceiving sound).

I hear

Also: I am listening, I am hearing
VerbA1irregular ir
Spain
A simple, friendly cartoon character with large ears standing outdoors, cupping a hand behind their ear, intently listening to the faint sound of a small bird singing on a nearby branch.
infinitiveoír
gerundoyendo
past Participleoído

📝 In Action

No te oigo bien, la música está muy alta.

A1

I can't hear you well, the music is too loud.

¿Qué dices? Oigo ruidos extraños en el pasillo.

A2

What are you saying? I hear strange noises in the hallway.

Cuando estoy meditando, oigo el silencio.

B1

When I am meditating, I hear the silence.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • escucho (I listen (actively))
  • percibo (I perceive)

Common Collocations

  • oigo un ruidoI hear a noise
  • oigo vocesI hear voices

Idioms & Expressions

  • oigo campanas y no sé dóndeI hear rumors but don't know the source or details (literally: I hear bells and don't know where)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedoye
yooigo
oyes
ellos/ellas/ustedesoyen
nosotrosoímos
vosotrosoís

imperfect

él/ella/ustedoía
yooía
oías
ellos/ellas/ustedesoían
nosotrosoíamos
vosotrosoíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedoyó
yo
oíste
ellos/ellas/ustedesoyeron
nosotrosoímos
vosotrosoísteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedoiga
yooiga
oigas
ellos/ellas/ustedesoigan
nosotrosoigamos
vosotrosoigáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedoyera
yooyera
oyeras
ellos/ellas/ustedesoyeran
nosotrosoyéramos
vosotrosoyerais

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "oigo" in Spanish:

i hear

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: oigo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'oigo' to describe the action of perceiving a sound?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The Spanish verb 'oír' comes from the Latin verb *audīre*, which meant 'to hear.' The irregular 'g' in 'oigo' is a unique development in Spanish that helped distinguish the sound of the 'yo' form early in the language's history.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around the 10th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ouçoItalian: odo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'oigo' used instead of 'estoy oyendo'?

Both mean 'I am hearing,' but 'oigo' (simple present) is much more common in Spanish for ongoing sensory perceptions. You usually use 'estoy oyendo' only when you want to emphasize the temporary, continuous nature of the sound.

If I want to say 'I listen to music,' should I use 'oigo' or 'escucho'?

You should use 'escucho' (I listen). Listening to music is an active choice. 'Oigo música' would imply you just happen to perceive background music involuntarily.