Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between “listen” and “hear.”
Question:
Hello,
My name is Waleed. And I am from Egypt. I would like to ask about the difference between "hear" and "listen.”
Thanks in advance,
Answer:
Thanks for writing to us, Waleed.
This is an excellent question. Both words have to do with sounds and our ears, but they do not mean the same thing. Let’s look at each.
“Hear” is a verb that can either take a direct object or not. It has several meanings. First, in its simplest form, the word means to receive sound through the ear.
“Hear” can mean to get information or knowledge by hearing something.
“Hear” also means to receive communication from someone.
“Hear” can share a meaning with the word “listen.” To say you “hear” someone means that you listened to them with attention.
Let’s move on to “listen.”
Just like the last meaning we gave for “hear,” “listen” means to hear with attention and understanding. We often use the preposition “to” with it.
“Listen” can mean paying attention to sounds or being alert enough to catch and understand sounds.
And when speaking informally, “listen” can be a noun meaning the act of listening itself.
The biggest difference between “hearing” something and “listening” to something is the amount of attention given to the process. “Hearing” is what we usually call a passive activity, sounds are coming into your ear, you receive them, but you are not necessarily paying attention to them. “Listening” suggests an active effort that requires attention.
Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Waleed.
Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
And that’s Ask a Teacher.
I’m Faith Pirlo.
Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.