Sign In

Recent Posts

Currently Online

Support

Comments for 聞く

Forum Index » 辞書のコメント [Dictionary Comments] »
5 Posts | 1,110 Views | 2 Followers

Comments for 聞く

[き(聞)·く]
kiku
godan verb, transitive verb

Alternate Written Forms:

[き(聴)·く]
kiku

English Meanings:

godan verb, transitive verb
  1. to hear
  2. to listen (e.g. to music) (esp. 聴く)
  3. to ask; to enquire; to query (聴く is used in legal and official contexts)
  4. to hear about; to hear of; to learn of
  5. to follow (advice, order, etc.); to obey; to listen to; to comply with
  6. to hear (e.g. a plea); to grant (a request); to accept (e.g. an argument); to give consideration to
  7. to smell (esp. incense); to sample (a fragrance)
  8. to taste (alcohol); to try (also 利く)
Entry Details »Stroke Order Diagrams »Conjugation Details »Intransitive Pair »Comments »Add to ▼

Thread started by kangaeruhito over 5 years ago

Member Since
3 Nov, 2018
Location
Canada
Number of Posts
3

I would like to understand the difference between 聞く (kiku) and 問う (tō). I'm not sure to understand it. Thank you.

ダヴィド·パシエンシア

#1 Posted by kangaeruhito over 5 years ago
Member Since
21 Jul, 2012
Location
Sydney, Australia
Number of Posts
341

The both mean to ask a question, but 問う is more formal.  You wouldn't use it in a casual setting.

#2 Posted by flint over 5 years ago
Member Since
3 Nov, 2018
Location
Canada
Number of Posts
3

どうもありがとうございます。

 

ダヴィド·パシエンシア

#3 Posted by kangaeruhito over 5 years ago
Member Since
29 Aug, 2021
Number of Posts
8

I would like to understand the difference between 聞く and 聴く. I'm not sure to understand it. Thank you.　

#4 Posted by yoUniversal4ce over 2 years ago
Member Since
21 Jul, 2012
Location
Sydney, Australia
Number of Posts
341

聞く is more generic and you can use it in any situation when you are listening to something.

聴く is for when you are listening intently or engrossed in something.  You most often seeing for when listening to music (音楽を聴く).

It's interesting to look at the radicals for the kanji in both of these:

聞く is made up of 耳 (ears) and 門 (gate), so it is anything that enters your ears, or to listen to something.

聴 is made up of the 耳 (ears) and 𢛳.  Although 𢛳 isn't used in Japanese, it is related to the Kanji 直 with the meaning まっすぐ (directly).  So it is to directly or intently listen to something.

 

#5 Posted by flint over 2 years ago

Only registered users may post in the forum. You can register your free 楽しい Japanese account here.