by Keisha Centa Putri
Many beginners who are learning English often feel confused about when to use listen or hear, and look or watch. In fact, the key is to understand the context of the process and the intention behind the activity, rather than memorizing the translation.
Specifically, hearing is a passive or unintentional act of capturing sound through the ears, while looking is simply directing the eyes toward an object. On the other hand, listening is a conscious effort to pay attention to sound, and watching is the act of observing something for a certain period of time. Fundamentally, the difference lies in the intention. “Hearing” and “looking” are often reflex reactions and unintentional. For example, you would hear a thunder and look at the red motorcycle passing by quickly without planning to do so because your senses spontaneously capture the activity or event. In contrast, “to listen” and “to watch” involve the intention to do it, a desire, where you deliberately give your full attention to processing or learning information, such as when watching a movie in a theater or listening to a teacher’s explanation.
In addition to the intention, or lack of, behind the action, the duration and movement of objects are also significant differentiators in the use of these words. “To look” is often used when directing one’s gaze to a stationary object, such as a photo or a short-lived scene. Meanwhile, when we use “watch,” the object being viewed is generally dynamic or undergoing change, such as watching a basketball game. The same applies to the word “to hear,” which often occurs in an instant, and “to listen,” which requires more time because it takes time to process the information.
In practice, learners often make common mistakes because they assume these words are interchangeable. The most common mistakes are:
- “I am hearing music.”
Correct answer: “I am listening to music.”
Reason: Listening to music is an activity that is done consciously for enjoyment.
- “I watched the painting.”
Correct answer: “I am looking at the painting.”
Reason: Looking at the painting is an activity that is done consciously and painting is an inanimate object.
- “Can you listen a weird noise outside?”
Correct answer: “Can you hear a weird noise outside?”
Reason: The weird noise appears suddenly without you planning to hear it, so use hear.
By understanding the difference between listen and hear, and watch and look, you will be able to indirectly convey how much attention you are paying. If you choose the wrong word, you may unintentionally create a misunderstanding. By using the right words, your English will sound more natural and precise, like a native speaker who understands the nuances of communication, which will increase your credibility and confidence when interacting in both formal and informal settings.
Source:
- Pirlo, F. (2023, August 4). Hear vs. listen. Voice of America. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/listen-vs-hear-/7210303.html
- Adinda. (2020, June 11). Listen and hear | Apa perbedaannya? HEC 1 Pare. https://hec1pare.com/listen-and-hear
- Britannica. (n.d.). How to use see, look, watch, hear, and listen. Britannica dictionary. https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/see-look-watch-hear-and-listen
