listen

/ˈlɪsn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪsn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈli-sᵊn/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlɪs.ən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪs.ən/ (ame, ipa)

listen — verb

  • listenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • listenshe / she / it
  • listenedpast simple
  • listening-ing form

1. to focus your attention on sounds or on what someone is saying, making an effort

1.動詞不及物A1
釋義

to focus your attention on sounds or on what someone is saying, making an effort to hear and understand rather than just hearing without trying

例句

Quinn listened to the phone ringing and then picked it up.

listen + to + object for attention to sound

The children listened to their grandfather's story about his trip to Japan.

同義詞
  • hear

    hear does not imply effort or intention; sounds simply reach your ears

  • pay attention

    broader — can mean focusing on visual things too, not just sounds

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not listen to someone or something

  • disregard

    more formal; to pay no attention to something

文法句型

listen + to + noun/pronoun

用法筆記

Often confused with 'hear'. To hear means that sounds reach your ears without effort; to listen means you deliberately pay attention. 'Listen' is always followed by 'to' when an object is stated.

常見錯誤

❌I listened the music all night.
✅I listened to the music all night.
💡'listen' needs 'to' before the object.
❌I was hearing to the teacher, but I did not understand.
✅I was listening to the teacher, but I did not understand.
💡'hear' is not used with 'to' and does not express deliberate attention.

2. to accept and act on what someone says, allowing their opinion, warning, or sugg

2.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to accept and act on what someone says, allowing their opinion, warning, or suggestion to guide what you do or think

例句

Sahil's doctor told him to rest more, and he finally listened to her.

listen to + person for following advice

Andrew lost a lot of money because he did not listen to his parents.

同義詞
  • obey

    stronger — implies following an order or rule, not just advice

  • heed

    more formal and literary; to pay careful attention to a warning or advice

  • take notice of

    slightly less strong than 'listen to'; can mean simply noticing rather than acting

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not pay attention to advice or a warning

  • disobey

    stronger — to refuse to follow an order or rule

文法句型

listen + to + noun/pronoun

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or group that can choose to follow guidance. Frequently used with authority figures as the object: doctor, parent, teacher, coach, expert.

常見錯誤

❌I listened him but I still made my own choice.
✅I listened to him but I still made my own choice.
💡'listen' always requires 'to' before its object.
❌I heard my mother and stayed home.' (when meaning you followed her advice).
✅I listened to my mother and stayed home.
💡'hear' means sounds reach your ears; 'listen to' means you accept and follow advice.

listen — noun