How to Say "listen!" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “listen!” is “escucha” — use this informal command when speaking to one person you know well (like a friend or family member)..
escucha
/es-KOO-chah//esˈkutʃa/
Examples
¡Escucha, esto es importante!
Listen, this is important!
Mi abuela siempre escucha la radio por la mañana.
My grandmother always listens to the radio in the morning.
Escucha, creo que oigo algo.
Listen, I think I hear something.
¿Usted me escucha bien?
Do you (formal) hear me well?
Two Jobs, One Word
Escucha can be a statement ('she listens') or a command ('listen!'). The situation you're in usually makes it clear which one is meant. For example, if someone says it directly to you at the start of a sentence, it's almost always a command.
Tú vs. Usted Commands
To give a friendly command to one person ('tú'), you say escucha. To give a formal command to one person ('usted'), you say escuche. Notice the ending changes from 'a' to 'e'.
Statement vs. Question
Mistake: “Using `escucha` when you mean `escuchas` for a 'tú' statement. For example, saying 'Tú escucha música' when asking a question or making a statement.”
Correction: For statements and questions with 'tú', you need the 's' at the end: `Tú escuchas música.` ('You listen to music.'). Keep `escucha` for commands ('Listen!') or for talking about 'él/ella/usted'.
oiga
/oi-ga//ˈo.i.ɣa/
Examples
Oiga, ¿me puede ayudar con esto?
Excuse me, can you help me with this?
¡Oiga! ¿Me puede decir dónde está la estación de metro?
Excuse me! Could you tell me where the subway station is?
Oiga, eso no es cierto. Yo lo vi con mis propios ojos.
Listen, that's not true. I saw it with my own eyes.
A Polite Way to Interrupt
Using '¡Oiga!' is a very common and neutral way to interrupt a formal conversation or approach a stranger without being rude. It directly addresses the person formally (usted).
escuchad
es-koo-CHAD/eskuˈtʃað/
Examples
Escuchad, todos, la clase empieza ahora.
Listen, everyone, class starts now.
¡Chicos, escuchad atentamente lo que voy a decir!
Kids, listen carefully to what I am going to say!
Escuchad, por favor, si queréis entender las instrucciones del juego.
Listen, please, if you want to understand the game instructions.
The 'You All' Command (Vosotros)
This is the command form used when you are speaking to multiple people informally, like friends or family. This form is standard throughout Spain.
Forming the Command
To create a positive 'vosotros' command for most -AR verbs, you take the infinitive (escuchAR) and change the final 'R' to a 'D' (escuchAD). This is a helpful pattern to memorize!
Confusing Command and Statement
Mistake: “Using 'escucháis' when you mean 'listen!'”
Correction: The statement 'You all listen' is 'Vosotros escucháis'. The command is '¡Escuchad!'. The command form is distinct from the regular present tense.
oigan
OY-gahn/ˈoi.ɣan/
Examples
¡Oigan! Vengo a anunciar algo importante.
Listen! I've come to announce something important.
¡Oigan! Necesito su ayuda con este proyecto.
Listen! I need your help with this project (addressing a group).
Oigan, ¿quién dejó la luz encendida?
Hey, who left the light on?
Oigan bien lo que voy a decir.
Listen closely to what I'm going to say.
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).
Informal vs. Formal and Singular vs. Plural
Related Translations
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