What’s the difference: Hear / Listen

This is a common mistake among students. The verbs listen and hear involve perceiving a sound. Both words are similar with one subtle difference.

Hear means to perceive or become aware of a sound.

• I hear noise.
• I hear police sirens.
• I hear rumors and gossip at work.

Listen means to pay attention to what you hear.

• I listen to music.
• I listen to my clients.
• I listen to my wife.

Student Mistakes

• Can you listen me?  (wrong, incorrect)
• Can you hear me?  (right, correct)

• I can't listen you.
• I can't hear you.

• I listen you.
• I can hear you.

• I like to listen music.
• I like to listen to music.

Common Questions

• Can you hear me?
• Did you hear that?
• What did you hear?
• Are you listening to me?
• What do you like listening to?
• Did you hear the news?
• Who did you hear that from?
• Did you hear the new Star Wars movie came out?