聞く
きく

to listen / to ask

N5Godan (U-verb / Group 1)transitive

To listen, hear, or ask a question. A godan verb with two distinct meanings determined by context and particle usage.

Complete Conjugation of 聞く

Dictionary (辞書形)
Base form found in dictionaries
聞く
Polite (ます形)
Standard polite form
聞きます
Negative (ない形)
Casual negative
聞かない
Past (た形)
Past tense, casual
聞いた
Te-form (て形)
Connecting form — requests, progressive
聞いて
Potential (可能形)
Ability — 'can do'
聞ける
Volitional (意向形)
Intention — 'let's do'
聞こう
Passive (受身形)
Action done to the subject
聞かれる
Causative (使役形)
Make/let someone do
聞かせる
Conditional (仮定形)
If / when condition
聞けば
Imperative (命令形)
Direct command (casual/rough)
聞け

Example Sentences

音楽を聞きます。
おんがくをききます。
I listen to music.
先生に聞いてください。
せんせいにきいてください。
Please ask the teacher.
何も聞こえません。
なにもきこえません。
I can't hear anything.

Usage Notes

を聞く = to listen to; に聞く = to ask someone. 聞こえる is the intransitive 'can hear'.

Related Verbs

話すto speak / to talk見るto see / to watch
All Japanese Verbs →Grammar Guides →Word Dictionary →

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