聽 (tīng) - To listen & to hear

聽Tone 1

tīng ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

聽 · tīng

To listen;

to hear;

to obey;

to heed;

to allow;

to permit;

also refers to auditory perception and attention.

To listento hearto obey

Usage highlights

ListenListen to musicListen to the radioObey ordersHear a storyAuditory

Synonyms

  • 闻— to hear; to smell
  • 聆— to listen attentively
  • 听见— to hear; to catch sound

Antonyms

  • 说— to speak
  • 讲— to talk; to lecture
  • 不听— not listening; disobeying

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please listen carefully (请仔细听).
  • I can't hear you clearly (我听不清楚).
  • Children should listen to their parents (孩子应该听父母的话).
  • The teacher is listening to the students' opinions (老师在听学生的意见).

Collocations

  • Listen(听)
  • Listen to music(听音乐)
  • Listen to the radio(听收音机)
  • Obey orders(听命令)
  • Hear a story(听故事)
  • Auditory(听觉)

Idioms

  • Turn a deaf ear(听而不闻)
  • Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one side and you will be benighted(兼听则明，偏信则暗)
  • Listen to the wind and follow the rain(听风是雨)
  • Obey without question(言听计从)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian philosophy, listening is considered essential for learning and moral development.
  • The character combines ear (耳) and virtue (德), emphasizing the moral dimension of attentive listening.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, hearing is connected to kidney health and overall vitality.

FAQ