Inklingo

How to Say "to hear" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oír

verbA1general
Use 'oír' when you are simply perceiving a sound, without necessarily focusing on it or trying to understand it.

Examples

¿Puedes oír la música desde aquí?

Can you hear the music from here?

escuchar

/es-koo-CHAR//es.kuˈt͡ʃaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'escuchar' when you are intentionally paying attention to sounds, like listening to music, a conversation, or instructions.
A happy child sitting and listening intently to bright red headphones, with soft musical notes floating around their head.

Examples

Me gusta escuchar música cuando estudio.

I like to listen to music when I study.

¿Escuchas la radio por la mañana?

Do you listen to the radio in the morning?

Por favor, habla más alto, no te escucho bien.

Please, speak louder, I can't hear you well.

No 'to' needed

In English, you say 'listen TO music'. In Spanish, the 'to' is already built into the verb 'escuchar'. So, you just say 'escuchar música', not 'escuchar a música'.

Listening TO a person

When you are listening TO a specific person, you usually add the word 'a'. For example, 'Escucho a la profesora' (I'm listening to the teacher).

Escuchar vs. Oír

Mistake: “Using 'escuchar' when you mean 'oír' (to hear).”

Correction: 'Escuchar' is an active choice, like listening to a song. 'Oír' is passive, like when you hear a car horn outside. Think: 'escuchar' = to listen; 'oír' = to hear.

sentir

/sen-TEER//senˈtiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'sentir' when you perceive a sound as a physical sensation or a sudden occurrence, often unexpectedly.
A person standing in a quiet environment, tilting their head and cupping their hand behind their ear to focus on a distant sound.

Examples

Sentí un ruido en la otra habitación.

I heard a noise in the other room.

A lo lejos, se sentían las campanas de la iglesia.

In the distance, the church bells could be heard.

Apenas sentí el pinchazo de la aguja.

I barely felt the prick of the needle.

Oír vs. Escuchar

The most common mistake is using 'oír' when you mean to actively listen ('escuchar'). Think about whether you are passively perceiving sound ('oír') or actively paying attention to it ('escuchar'). 'Sentir' is less common for 'to hear' and more about perceiving a sound as a physical sensation.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.