French word

entendre

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃tɑ̃dʁ/

Meaning

  • verbhear

Example

Je n'entends rien.

I can't hear anything.

Illustration for entendre (hear)

More examples

J'entends une conversation à côté.

I hear a conversation nearby.

Core concept

A sound reaches the ear and becomes understood.

Common phrases

  • entendre bien

    hear well

  • entendre mal

    hear poorly

  • entendre une conversation

    hear a conversation

Similar words

écouter: To listen attentively to speech or other sounds.
comprendre: To understand what words or situations mean or imply.
signifier: To mean or convey a particular idea or message.

Definition in French

Percevoir un son avec l'oreille; par extension, comprendre ce qui est dit.

Word origin

Entendre comes through Old French from Latin intendere, 'to direct or stretch toward', and developed toward directing attention to sounds and understanding speech.

Usage tips

  • Entendre can mean either 'hear' or 'understand', while écouter emphasizes listening deliberately.

Other meanings

  • understandverb

Related words

  • entenduheardadjective
  • ententeagreementnoun

Word lists with this word