French word

écouter

Pronunciation

IPA/ekute/

Meaning

  • verblisten to ___

Example

J'aime écouter de la musique le soir.

I like listening to music in the evening.

Illustration for écouter (listen to ___)

More examples

Elle écoute un podcast pendant le trajet.

She listens to a podcast during the journey.

Core concept

An attentive ear follows sounds, music, or speech to grasp meaning or enjoy it.

Common phrases

  • écouter un podcast

    listen to a podcast

  • écouter attentivement

    listen attentively

  • écouter les informations

    listen to the news

Similar words

entendre: To hear a sound or voice as it reaches the ears.
suivre: To keep up with the flow of a conversation or speech and understand its content.
prêter l'oreille: To lend an attentive ear.

Definition in French

Entendre volontairement et avec attention des sons, une chanson ou les paroles afin de comprendre ou d'apprécier.

Word origin

French écouter comes through Old French escouter from Latin auscultare, meaning to listen attentively.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English listen to, écouter takes a direct object, as in écouter de la musique or écouter quelqu'un.

Opposites

Related words

  • écoutelisteningnoun
  • réécouterlisten againverb

Word lists with this word